Girl Scouts Defends Secular Mission as Muslim Faith Programs Draw Criticism

Girl Scouts of the USA issued a formal rebuttal Wednesday to allegations that troops in multiple states have incorporated Islamic religious instruction, including prayer sessions, hijab instruction and faith-specific merit badges into their programming. The organization maintained that it remains nonreligious and that any faith-centered activities are developed and operated independently by outside religious groups, with participation entirely voluntary.

A GSUSA representative stated the organization has maintained its inclusive mission for over a century. “Girl Scouts is not a religious organization and does not teach religion,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital, while noting that the national My Promise, My Faith pin allows scouts to integrate Girl Scout principles with their personal spiritual beliefs.

GSUSA’s official materials confirm the organization has approved religious-recognition programs created by faith communities and permits their insignia on uniforms. The national website displays a chart identifying four Islamic recognition programs—Bismillah, In the Name of Allah, Quratula’in and Muslimeen—alongside Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Baha’i offerings. Each religious organization independently develops its own curriculum.

An Orange County, California toolkit from 2025 indicates the Islamic Committee on Girl Scouting supplies Muslim Girl Scouts with activity booklets and medals. A separate All About Islam Patch program requires scouts at all age levels to study the Five Pillars of Islam and complete at least three related activities, including partial fasting and charitable giving.

Alexandra Bougher, New Jersey ambassador for Moms for Liberty, objected to the faith-specific badge system, arguing it could marginalize scouts of different religious backgrounds. “No Girl Scout chapter should push one faith over another by incentivizing it with badges some girls, because of their own faith, will not be able to earn,” Bougher stated.

The controversy intensified following a Saturday report by White House correspondent Natalie Winters documenting mosque-based troops in California, Illinois, New York and Virginia that had integrated Quranic study, Islamic prayer, Ramadan observances and hijab activities into Girl Scout programs. GSUSA emphasized that such programs operated at the local level rather than as part of mandatory national curricula.

American Heritage Girls, a Christian scouting alternative founded in 1995, contrasted its approach by emphasizing transparent religious messaging. The organization stated it intentionally centers its programming around Christian teachings and discloses its faith-based mission to families before enrollment, distinguishing itself from what it characterizes as Girl Scouts’ less explicit approach to religious content.