Tournament
Tournament
So you're competing at MIST! Here's all the information you need to get started:
Registration
Early Deadline: March 2nd at 11:59pm
Late Deadline: March 21st at 11:59pm
Theme
The theme, A Legacy of Learning: Turning Knowledge Into Action, affects competitions during the weekend. Click the button below for details!
Rulebooks
Want to know how the competitions work? Check out the Official Rulebook and the Detroit Addendum, containing detailed rules, sample ballots, and more!
Competition Topics
Competition topics have been announced! Find out which books to read, topics to study, and prompts to analyze!
List of Competitions
Are you wondering what competitions you have to choose from? Check out our list of competitions by clicking the button below!
Early Submissions
Early submissions will be collected through myMIST! If you have any questions about competitions or early submissions, please email competitions@mistdetroit.com.
Theme
Theme
Currents of Consequence:
The Might of Small Deeds
The butterfly effect reminds us that the smallest actions, good or bad, can set off vast chains of events. A single word, a habit, or a choice that seems insignificant in the moment can ripple outward, shaping people, communities, and even history. Those ripples may flow gently in streams, or surge forward as floods, their final impact unknown. Yet over time, streams cut valleys, rivers carve canyons, and tides reshape entire coastlines. Do our actions have the same effect?
The immense power of a seemingly small act is illustrated in the story of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) in Surah al-Qasas. His mother’s decision to trust in God and cast her infant into the Nile became the tide that turned a tyrant. One small ripple set into motion Musa’s upbringing in the Pharaoh's palace, preparing him to one day stand against oppression with truth and conviction.
Just as one decision can lead to unexpected good, the principle of action and consequence also means that negative acts can result in a cascade of devastating effects. Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Verily, when the servant commits a sin, a black mark appears upon his heart. If he abandons the sin, seeks forgiveness, and repents, then his heart will be polished. If he returns to the sin, the blackness will be increased until it overcomes his heart” (Tirmidhī 3334). Careless actions, hurtful words, wasted time, and neglected responsibilities can unearth dangerous sinkholes, but repentance offers a path to pull oneself out.
In today’s world of instant gratification, small deeds may feel insignificant, and change may feel too slow. But Islam teaches that transformation is built on consistency, patience, and trust in Al Wakeel, the trustee and disposer of affairs. Surah al-Hud tells how Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) built his ark while people mocked him. Although each plank hammered seemed meaningless to others, when devastating floods came, those small steps became salvation for humanity. Every prayer, every act of kindness, every contribution to justice is a drop in an ocean of barakah, blessings that endure and multiply over time.
The choices you make today may become the tide someone else rides tomorrow. Alternatively, you may be stationed at the center or end of a wave set off by others’ actions. What ripple will you create? How do you ensure your actions contribute to positive growth? How do you take accountability for your role in a chain of events, when the outcome is positive, and when it is negative?
We encourage you to creatively explore these concepts and more in Regional and National competitions and workshops during MIST 2026. Remember that unique projects displaying creativity and insight will be judged most favorably.
Rulebook
Rulebook
National Rulebook
The annual MIST Rulebook contains the comprehensive official guidelines on the rules, rubrics, and ballots for each competition, as well as the theme, competitor guidelines, and MIST Honor Code.
Pilot Competitions Addendum
Pilot competitions are competitions that are offered at Detroit’s Regional Tournament, but NOT at Nationals. MIST Detroit releases a Rulebook Addendum to consolidate the rules, rubrics, and ballots for these unique competitions.
Remember, all competition material should be identified ONLY with a competitor’s MIST ID, NOT with their name or school. MIST IDs are available in myMIST.
Competition Topics
Competition Topics
Knowledge Test Books
You can buy these books online, or borrow a copy from your local library. If your library doesn't have a copy, you can request it using the Michigan eLibrary Catalog.
MIST Bowl Topics
Topic I
Contemporary Politics: The Divided Spectrum
Topic II
Confronting Inequality in Health Access
Topic III
Al-Aqsa: Past, Present, and Promise
Topic IV
Marginalized Muslims in Conflict Zones
Topic V
The Environmental and Social Costs of Fast Fashion
Topic VI
Current Events (Jan 2024 — Dec 2024)
Debate Topics
Schools should replace foreign language requirements with computer programming requirements.
Streaming services should be required to release episodes weekly rather than all at once, in order to prevent binge watching.
Provided it is technologically feasible, all new buildings should be required to have rooftop solar panels.
Citizens should be allowed to allocate a limited portion of their tax payments to government programs of their choice.
Social movements should prioritize pressuring key decision makers over altering public opinion.
List of Competitions
List of Competitions
Here are all the competitions offered at MIST Detroit 2025! For information about how these competitions are conducted, take a look at our rulebook page.
* Pilot competition - not available at the National level
Category I: Knowledge and Quran
Knowledge Tests (Books 1-4)
Brothers’ Qur’an Memorization (Levels 1-3)
Sisters’ Qur’an Memorization (Levels 1-3)
Brothers’ Qur’an Recitation
Sisters’ Qur’an Recitation
Category II: Arts
2D Art
3D Art
Fashion Design
Digital Art
Photography
Scrapbook*
Culinary Arts*
Category III: Writing and Oratory
Extemporaneous Essay
Extemporaneous Speaking
Original Oratory
Poetry
Prepared Essay
Short Fiction
Spoken Word
Category IV: Bracket Competitions
Debate
Math Olympics
MIST Quiz Bowl
Brothers’ Improv
Sisters’ Improv
Category V: Group Projects
Business Venture
Humanitarian Service
Brothers’ Nasheed/Rap
Sisters’ Nasheed/Rap
Science Fair
Short Film
Social Media
Category VI: Sports
Brothers’ Basketball
Sisters’ Basketball
Brothers’ Soccer*
Sisters’ Soccer*
Brothers’ Volleyball*
Sisters’ Volleyball*
Category VII: E-Sports
Chess*
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6*
Fortnite: Zone Wars (SOLO)*
EA FC 24*
Valorant*
Clash Royale*