Today, as the War on Terror continues abroad and at home, American Muslims like myself remember the pre-9/11 era fondly.

I was an American Muslim Boy Scout! Yes Sir, Islamic Scouts Troop 322, Chief Seattle Council, Boy Scouts USA. My troop started up in 1985 at the Islamic Center of Seattle on Northgate Way.

We were a diverse group, with kids from the Arab-, Asian, and African-American communities. Our Scoutmaster, of Syrian origin, was an experienced Boy Scouts leader in the Seattle area who wanted to give something back to the Muslim community.

We were proud of our Islamic Scouting badge complete with Qur'aan-and-sunshine logo stitched over our hearts as well as our Star-Spangled flag badge on our left sleeves. We were proud of our starched-out JC Penney-bought uniforms. We went on hikes, jamborees, and flag drills. We were young American Muslims, at one with Allah and the Constitution. We were proud.

We also sometimes visited another Muslim troop in south Seattle composed of mainly Cham refugee kids. The Cham Muslims in Seattle were survivors of Pol Pot's genocide in Cambodia.

I remember our first visit to the Cham Muslim scouts vividly, because it was a lesson in privilege awareness. We did things Scouts do and ended with a formal assembly outdoors, complete with awards.

I was shocked when I received a prize for my regulation Scouting outfit. Of all the scouts there, I realized I was the only one with a complete uniform: red beret, khaki shirt with badges, scout belt, and green pants. In my heart, I knew I got the award because I was the only one whose mom had taken him to JC Penney and shelled out for the whole enchilada.

They should have given the award to my parents, not me. Everybody clapped and cheered, but I couldn?t look at the faces of the Cham kids or even my own troop. I was too embarrassed. I sat head down, cross-legged, clutching the prize: a regulation Boy Scouts USA water canteen.

Uniforms are supposed to provide conformity and a sense of belonging. That day, mine made me feel like a lucky, privileged snot.