Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association

The Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association (SABSA, Arabic: جمعية الكشافة العربية السعودية‎) is the national Scouting organization of Saudi Arabia. Scouting was officially founded in Saudi Arabia in 1961, though Scouting was active many years prior to the founding date, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1963. It has 19,269 members (as of 2010).^[1]

The Association seeks to spread Scouting throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the aim of promoting the Scout ideals of courage, self-reliance and brotherhood.

Scouting in Mina area, Saudi Arabia

The Association participates in most regional and international Scouting activities. They contribute financial assistance generously to help Scouting in less fortunate countries.

In 1983, Dr. Abdullah O. Nasseef was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting.

The Scout Motto is Kun Musta'idan or كن مستعدا, translating as "Be Prepared" in Arabic. The noun for a single Scout is Kashaf or كشاف in Arabic.

Emblem

The old Scout emblem incorporated the traditional Boy Scout fleur-de-lis design.

The Scout emblem of the Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association incorporates a palm tree on a backdrop of a traditional Bedouin marquee tent or bayt.

International Scouting units in Saudi Arabia

Council Shoulder Patch of the BSA Saudi Arabia Direct Service Council

In addition, there are American Boy Scouts in Dhahran, Riyadh, Jeddah, Ras Tanura, Udhailiyah, and Khamis, linked to the Direct Service branch of the Boy Scouts of America, which supports units around the world; as well as Boy Scouts of Scouts Canada in Riyadh.

In addition there are new Groups (2013) of British Scouts Overseas being formed in Al Khobar, Jeddah and Riyadh.

External links

• Saudi Arabian Scouts Association; National website
• Saudi Arabian Scouts Association; City of Jeddah website

References