2026 MYDT Virtual ICNA Preliminaries

Assalamu alaikum,

We’re excited to kick off the 2026 Annual Muslim Youth Debate Tournament and can’t wait to welcome both returning and new participants! This year’s program will feature four quarterly debates and one annual national debate at the ICNA Convention on May 24, 2026.

📆Key Event Details

• Preliminaries virtual Sunday May 3, 2026

• Annual National Debate at ICNA – In Person – May 24, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

• Location:  Virtual over Zoom

• Arrival Time: All teams must arrive by 8:30 AM for check in

📝 Registration Deadlines

•  Team Registration Deadline: April 26, 2026

First  and Third  Round Debate Topics:

Middle School

• Coding classes must be mandatory for students
• Cafes don’t belong in Masjids

High School 

• Short-term adaptation should be prioritized over mitigation when navigating climate change
• Cafes don’t belong in Masjids

College

• Short-term adaptation should be prioritized over mitigation when navigating climate change
• Mandatory military service time should be implemented in the United States
• Rounds 2 & 4 : Impromptu topics
• Advancement: Top 4 teams in Middle School, High School, and College move to Semi-Finals

A typical MYDT event includes four preliminary rounds, followed by semifinals and finals. Each team will debate two pre-assigned topics and two impromptu topics during the preliminaries. The semifinals and finals will also feature impromptu topics. Because of space and logistical limits, up to 40 teams may be invited to compete in the virtual tournament.

The tournament uses a parliamentary-style debate format and is open to middle school, high school, and college/university teams. The deadline to register is  given below:

We encourage teams to register early and review the “Rules of the Road” for complete details on the format and judging process. A number of workshop recordings  are also available here to help teams prepare.

This tournament is a great opportunity for youth to grow in confidence, learn to think critically, and practice respectful communication—all while engaging with topics that matter. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting and meaningful experience, in shaa Allah.

The deadline for ICNA team registration is  April 26, 2026!

For more information, please visit our website here. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact us at debate@mafiq.org

Register here

YOUTH PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOP (AGE 14-20) @ ICNA CONVENTION 2026

Do you ever feel your voice deserves to be heard—but nerves hold you back? Ready to speak with confidence, power, and presence? This session is your chance to step forward and unlock the communicator inside you.

Join us for a hands-on public speaking workshop where you’ll learn the four core skills that great speakers master:

• Connecting with your audience
  • Communicating your message with clarity
  • Owning the room with strong presence
  • Using pace and tonality to bring your story to life

You’ll practice in small groups, encourage one another, and build momentum together. Each group will

l then select a speaker to take the stage for our final showcase—an inspiring moment to put your new skills into action.

This session is designed for participants ages __ who are ready to grow, stretch, and rise.

MODERATOR

Nasser Chanda is the CEO of Accounting Seed and previously served as CEO of Paymerang, a FinTech 

company acquired for around $500 million in 2024. Nasser is a strong advocate for the positive impact American Muslims can bring to society through entrepreneurship, hard work, and principled leadership.

Register here:

• In person weekend long Tech driven Hackathon to address social issues –  Sept 5-6 2026 at ISNA Annual Convention, Detroit, MI
• In person weekend long Tech driven Hackathon to address social issues –  July 12, 19 or 26 Weekend 2025  – Local DMV area
• Top ranked teams are qualified for paid internship – mentored by professional and subject matter experts

Register https://tinyurl.com/MYHACK2025