2026 MYDT Virtual ICNA Preliminaries
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
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Preliminaries virtual Sunday May 3, 2026
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Annual National Debate at ICNA – In Person – May 24, 2026
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Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
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Location: Virtual over Zoom
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Arrival Time: All teams must arrive by 8:30 AM for check in
📝 Registration Deadlines
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
