INVITES YOU TO REGISTER FOR THE VIRTUAL PRELIMINARIES & ANNUAL

MUSLIM YOUTH DEBATE TOURNAMENT (MYDT) @ ICNA CONVENTION

Assalamu alaikum,

We’re excited to kick off the 2025 Academic Year Muslim Youth Debate Tournament and can’t wait to welcome both returning and new participants! This year’s program will feature three quarterly debates and one annual national debate at the ICNA Convention on May 24, 2026.

📅 2025–2026 Tournament Schedule

Quarter 2 – In Person at ADAMS Center – December 21, 2025
Quarter 3 – Virtual ICNA Preliminaries (open for all) – May 3, 2026
Annual National Debate at ICNA – In Person – May 24, 2026
Quarter 4 – In Person at Al Fatih Academy – June 28, 2026

A typical MYDT event includes three preliminary rounds, followed by semifinals and finals. Each team will debate one pre-assigned topic 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:

📝 Registration Deadlines

Q2 @ ADAMS – November 30, 2025
Q3 @ Virtual Prelims – April 26, 2026
ICNA National Debate – April 26, 2026
Q4 @ Al Fatih Academy – June 21, 2026

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.

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TEAM & PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Click to Watch a video to learn about the Parliamentary style of debate and what this tournament is all about.
The tournament will have two categories, one for middle school and another for high school students.
Each team consists of 3 members, one of which must be designated as a team captain. Each member has a role to play and at least 1 member of the team must have some form of debating experience.
Click to review debate Format and Rubrics here .
A maximum of 40 teams can be qualified for the virtul round.
Team that has not participated in MYDT in the past should have a coach.

Select the Tournament You’re Registering For*

School/Center your team is representing?*

Category you're competing?*

Team Name*

Mention your team name here. Try to be unique in naming your team. You may include the name of the institution that your team is affiliated with, or the school that you go to.

Coach Name

Coach NameState

Coach's email addressCountry

Does your team intend to attend workshop?*

Any past debating experience? *

DEBATERS INFORMATION

Provide accurate email and phone details for each debater in the correct fields to ensure they receive all tournament information promptly and directly.

1st Debater First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Number*

2nd Debater First Name Last Name Email Phone Number

3rd Debater First Name Last Name Email Phone Number

SPARE DEBATER

Provide accurate email and phone details for a spare debater. A spare is a debater that can be added to your team if they are NOT already part of another team. They are only on standby to substitute due to the absence of one of your team members, for either the preliminaries, and/or the semi-finals and final rounds.

Note: Once the spare is subbed in, the original debater will not be allowed to participate in that set of rounds.

Spare Debater First Name Last Name Email Phone Number

PLEASE help us recruit a judge from the community you live in.

Judges are the key to the success of this platform and it is mendatory that each participating team recruits a Judge from their community who can support their team and help us adjudicating MYDT debates. MYDT judging committee will train the trainers who is willing to join our judging team. Team judge could become a resident expert for the debate team who in turn can coach a team for future MYDT tournament in shaa Allah.

Team Judge: First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Number*

Contact Phone Number (For prompt and direct communication between the participant and the organizer, we'll be using a WhatsAppgroup to keep the participants posted on the event development and announcement)

Debate WORKSHOP (Tentaive and subject to change)

We plan to schedule hybrid workshop(s) for the registerred teams to introduce the structure and rules of our parliamentary style debate competition, when requested.

Please check website for up-to-date information.

Main Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

REGISTRATION FEE:

A non-refundable registration fee is required at the time of registration. This fee will be considered a donation to help cover the operational expenses of the MYDT.

Q2 @ ADAMS – $60
Q3 Virtual Prelims – $75
ICNA Nationals – see ICNA Convention Site
Q4 @ Al Fatih – $60

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/CXQNU7PHCLZEE

Email Validator*

Join the MAFIQ Supporter Group!

Help us cover about $15,000 annual expenses to keep Mafiq Foundation's volunteer-run programs running. Every generous donation makes a difference! Consider becoming a monthly donor, no matter the amount.

Donate now: MYDT | Contact: debate@mafiq.org

Your support is greatly appreciated!

You can DONATE using the link

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/CXQNU7PHCLZEE

REGISTRATION FEE: Each team is required to pay a nominal tournament registration fee. Please tell us the state of your registration. Team registration fee is $75. Anyone requesting fee waiver should contact debate@mafiq.org.

Authorizations and Signatures by the a Parent or a Guardian or a Coach (Please ensure that your contact information above are correct and working).

By signing this form, I certify that all information submitted is accurate and truthful. I commit to training the team to the best of my ability and to actively participate in any workshops scheduled by MAFIQ Foundation (virtual workshops will be offered as time permits). I will ensure that the team participates in the event as scheduled and complies fully with all terms and conditions established by MAFIQ Foundation, Inc.

I further agree to uphold and enforce the Code of Conduct for all team members at all times. I understand that the team may be disqualified if any member violates the Code of Conduct or engages in behavior that is inconsistent with the standards of an Islamic environment.

I acknowledge that all debates performed as part of the competition become the property of MAFIQ Foundation. MAFIQ Foundation retains the full and exclusive right to publish, reproduce, market, and use event-related materials, including videos, photographs, and audio recordings, for promotional and organizational purposes.

On behalf of the team, I agree not to hold MAFIQ Foundation, its affiliates, board members, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, or representatives liable for any negative experiences, issues, accidents, injuries, or other incidents that may arise in connection with participation in this event.

Disclaimer: Registration fee is non-refundable and the fee will be regarded as donation in case the team cannot participate.

Authorization Signature (a Parent or a Guardian or a Coach)

Parent/guardian should enter name below. By signing, I certify that the information I submitted is accurate and truthful, and that I agree to the terms and conditions stated within this form. I understand that the essay, poster, and/or multimedia submissions become property of The Mafiq Foundation-- The Mafiq Foundation thereby retains full and exclusive right to publish, market, and sell this material.

Thank you for completing the Youth Debate Tournament Registration Form.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact us at debate@mafiq.org or visit our website at https://mafiq.org/mydt-home/

Jazakullahu khairan!

MYDT Organizing Team
The Mafiq Foundation
http://mafiq.org

MYDT Registration Form

Debate WORKSHOP (Tentaive and subject to change)