Arab Scout Jamborees are region-wide events run or sponsored by member countries of the Arab Scout Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. During the 1953 14th World Scout Conference in Liechtenstein, Syria offered to host the 8th World Scout Jamboree, but was denied after Israel protested that Israeli Scouts couldn't enter Arab countries. The Arab delegations felt that they wouldn't be able to host such international events and decided to organize on the Pan-Arab level. They prepared a draft in March 1954 that was approved by the Arab League Council on its 21st session, establishing the Arab Scout Organization. The first Arab Scout Conference (and Jamboree) was held at Zabadani, Syria in the summer of 1954, where the Arab Scout Committee was formed.[1][2]

Arab Scout Jamboree
 Scouting portal

The second conference and jamboree were held at Abu Qir, Egypt in the summer of 1956.[3][2]

Objectives

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The primary objectives of the Arab Scout Jamboree[2] are:

  1. Fostering Friendship and Brotherhood: The event aims to strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among Arab Scouts, promoting unity and camaraderie.
  2. Experience Exchange: It provides a platform for Scouts and leaders from across the Arab world to exchange experiences, learn from each other, and share best practices.
  3. National Spirit Development: The Jamboree plays a crucial role in developing the national spirit among scouts and enhancing feelings of loyalty and belonging to the Arab world.
  4. Scouting Movement Promotion: The event serves as a medium to introduce and promote the Scouting movement through various media, raising awareness and attracting more participants.
  5. Leadership Skills Development: The Jamboree is instrumental in developing the capabilities of leaders to organize and manage major Scout gatherings, thereby fostering leadership skills.
  6. Cultural Exchange: By visiting the landmarks of the host country, participants get to know parts of the Arab world, facilitating cultural exchange and appreciation.

List of Arab Scout Jamborees

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Event Location Country Date
1st Arab Jamboree Zabadani   Syria 1954[4]
2nd Arab Jamboree Alexandria-Aboukir   Egypt 1956
3rd Arab Jamboree-(III Pan-Arab Scout Jamboree) Damascus   Syria 1958
4th Arab Jamboree Sousse   Tunisia 1960
5th Arab Jamboree Maamoura   Morocco 1962
6th Arab Jamboree Aboukir   Egypt 1964
7th Arab Jamboree-(7th Pan-Arab Scout Jamboree and 1st Arab Girl Scout Camp) Joudaim   Libya 1966
8th Arab Jamboree Sidi Fredj   Algeria 1968
9th Arab Jamboree Zabadani   Syria 1970
10th Arab Jamboree Mussal   Iraq 1972
11th Arab Jamboree Byblos   Lebanon 1974
12th Arab Jamboree Borj Cédria   Tunisia 1976
13th Arab Jamboree Maamoura   Morocco 1978
14th Arab Jamboree Joudaim   Libya 1980
15th Arab Jamboree Joudaim   Libya 1982
16th Arab Jamboree Sidi Fredj   Algeria 1984
17th Arab Jamboree Salalah   Oman 1986
18th Arab Jamboree Maamoura   Morocco 1988
19th Arab Jamboree Joudaim   Libya 1990
20th Arab Jamboree Cairo   Egypt 1992
21st Arab Jamboree Port Said   Egypt 1994
22nd Arab Jamboree Borj Cédria   Tunisia 1996
23rd Arab Jamboree Byblos   Lebanon 1998
24th Arab Jamboree Ta’if   Saudi Arabia 2000
25th Arab Jamboree Amman   Jordan 2002
26th Arab Jamboree- Joudaim   Libya 2004
27th Arab Jamboree- London   United Kingdom 2007
28th Arab Jamboree Borj Cédria   Tunisia 2008
29th Arab Jamboree Cairo   Egypt 2010
30th Arab Jamboree Alexandria+Aboukir   Egypt 2012
31st Arab Jamboree Amman   Jordan 2015
32nd Arab Jamboree Algiers + Blida+Tipaza   Algeria 2018
33rd Arab Jamboree Dubai   United Arab Emirates 2023

Girl Guides Sub-Camp

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The Girl Guides have been a significant part of the Arab Scout Jamboree for many years. The first Arab Girl Scout Camp was held during the 7th Arab Jamboree in Joudaim, Libya in 1966. Since then, the Girl Guides have been an integral part of the event, with their sub-camp being a place for fostering friendship, exchanging experiences, developing national spirit, promoting the Scouting movement, developing leadership skills, and facilitating cultural exchange.

In 1974, the Eleventh Arab Scout Jamboree and Fifth Arab Girl Guide jamboree was held in Lebanon. The Girl Guides camped near the 18th-century Lebanese town Deir al-Qamar, and the event lasted eight days for the Girl Guides. The jamboree included traditional Scouting activities, national flag ceremonies, marching contests, bonfires, sports, handicraft classes, and displays.[5]

In 1995, the Girl Guides Movement was established in the State of Qatar, and in 1996, the Girl Guides Movement in Qatar joined the Arab Girl Guides Association in the 14th Arab Conference, which was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain.[6]

The Girl Guides Association of the United Arab Emirates, founded in 1973, became a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1984. They have been participating in the Arab Scout Jamboree, organizing the Girl Guides sub-camp within this event.[5]

Over the years, the Girl Guides sub-camp in the Arab Scout Jamboree has played a crucial role in promoting unity, camaraderie, and the Scouting movement among young girls in the Arab world.

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References

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  1. ^ "About us" (in Arabic). Arab Scout Organization. Archived from the original on 15 April 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "المخيم الكشفي العربي". المخيم الكشفي العربي الثالث و الثلاثون (in Arabic). Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  3. ^ John S. Wilson (1959). Scouting Round the World (first ed.). Blandford Press. p. 275.
  4. ^ John S. Wilson (1959), Scouting Round the World. First edition, Blandford Press. p. 267
  5. ^ a b bou El Nasr, Khalil (May 1975). "Arab Jamboree". Saudi Aramco World.
  6. ^ "Qatar Scouts and Guides Association". scoutsqatar.edu.gov.qa. Retrieved 2023-12-19.