Muslim Youth Debate Tournament and MIST

PVS students participated in a Debate tournament called MYDT, Muslim Youth Debate Tournament, just this past month. MYDT is a Muslim Youth Debate Tournament that develops writing and debate skills through Deen. It “ is a project of the Mafiq Foundation in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area that focuses on developing and exercising skills in parliamentary debate, critical analysis, and verbal delivery in the context of relevant faith-related topics. In our Muslim youth, we help nurture eloquence and wisdom in how the world works– this one, and the next.” 

Practice sessions were held through Zoom with an experienced coach. They had practice debates with the other team members. This debate tournament is held with a group of three students per team. Usually, the tournament is held at the Diyanet Center of America in Lanham, MD. However, since everything is now virtual, the students were able to participate in this tournament. 

The tournament is a full-day schedule from 7:30 AM until 3:00 PM. This consists of 4 debate rounds: 2 impromptu debates and 2 prepared debates. Students must prepare for the opposition and proposition side for both prepared debates. The first day is the preliminary round and the next day is the semi-finals and final round. 

Two of our PVS high school students, Nia Yusuf and Samit Ahmed, both received the best speaker for the debate tournament. 

Additionally, MIST was also held online through a series called ‘MIST Games’. PVS student, Deenat Yusuf, received 1st place for the Sisters Quran competition.