"We welcome boys from every religion," Mark Crowe told the crowd at Bethel Church on Monday, the first 750 Pack den meeting, on Sept. 10 in Paulding.

As the only mother with a hijab on, I appreciated the welcome aboard.

He recommended that parents need to sign for their child's knowledge of their own religion, because the pack leaders cannot vouch for them.

According to scout law, all children must affirm their belief in God. Scouts encourages all boys to aspire to be servants in their community. It is a logical outcome. It is logical that a belief in a higher being leads one to act as if one is accountable.

Mark Crowe, who served two terms with the army himself, told the parents that he loved to teach citizenship, but each child needs to find a project to undertake to prove that he acted according to his beliefs. So at this young age, it is important to impress on children that they cannot just talk, but they have to walk the talk.

Since my sons helped raise blood for the victims of 9/11 the day before, I thought they had already found their project. The goal is to help 11,000 Americans who need blood to counteract Muslim terrorists who give Islam a bad name.

Last year, they helped the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community collect blood with Red Cross for their Muslims for Life Campaign.

"We love to help," Kamran told me on the way to the South Life bus.

The Boy Scouts’ respect for all religions increased my respect for the Cub Scouts. In addition, I found that their handbook is a readymade step-by-step guide to teach my children what I already wanted them to know about citizenship.

The uniforms cost $185 for two boys and I do not expect a leap of joy from my husband when he gets the bill, but I see it as an investment in guiding my sons on the path to become responsible American citizens.

Boy Scouts is a family tradition for us. In Pakistan, my husband was a Boy Scout, believe it or not, and my father and his brother were also Boy Scouts in Scotland. I have a picture of them shining proudly, wearing their uniforms, at the same age as my sons, so you know I had to take a picture.

Anyone who shares these beliefs, please feel free to donate blood at Life South or at the Red Cross. All you have to do is phone for the closest location and tell them to add it to the Muslims for Life total.