Mist In the Air as DC Prepares for Annual Tournament

Community News - Community News

Written by Mehreen Rasheed, Muslim Link Contributing Writer

Friday, 26 February 2010 11:05

D.C.’s Muslim Inter-Scholastic Tournament raised about $12,600 at Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, Md. on Feb. 20, 2010 in preparation for the upcoming regional tournament this spring.

D.C. MIST promoted the tournament with an overview of the program and its goals, showcased performances and videos from previous years, and hosted speaker Yusuf Silitine, director of the Arabic program at MCC.

MIST also a held a similar fundraising dinner a week earlier at Dar al Noor mosque in Manassas, Va. These fundraisers were part of the many events the regional chapter held, including community service events and a pep rally, leading up to the competition this April at University of Maryland in College Park, Md., according to Program Co-Chair Nimat Baig.

“It’s only once a year, so all of these dinners and activities beforehand are a way of keeping the MIST spirit alive,” Baig said. “Tonight, competitors can also earn their team points by bringing guests over [age] 21.”

MIST is a tournament for high school Muslim Students Associations, held in nine different regional locations and then at the national level. The competition categories include Arts, Knowledge and Qur’an, Writing and Oratory, as well as group and bracket competitions such as scholastic bowl and basketball, according to Baig.

The board highlighted MIST’s importance in fostering communication and competition among young Muslims, giving them a place to find both professional and personal networking and support.

“MIST is here to help the MSAs grow,” said Noha Eshera, competition chair. “They are important to develop as they’re one of the most vital organizations to Muslim youth in high school.”

The evening included testimonials from previous and current competitors, who spoke of MIST not only as a way of growing scholastically, but as a method of developing a sense of Muslim identity and community. Silitine stressed the need for communities to encourage this strong identity, and the importance of training youth to become leaders.

“Do not ever diminish or minimize the importance of what you are doing,” said Silitine. “In creating an Islamic atmosphere, the youth are setting an example for the Muslim community.”

The D.C. chapter began approximately seven years ago, a year after the first MIST tournament at the University of Houston, according to the MIST National Web site. The organizers and staff are comprised of volunteers, many of them college students. Though the judges also volunteer, MIST strives to bring in experts and professionals in their areas, according to Outreach Chair Mariam Khan.

The competition is funded by donations and registration, which collectively must cover costs such as reservations, food, supplies, and speaker honorariums, according to Budget Chair Tahnee Hasan. They try to keep entry costs for students as minimal as possible, though the current rate is $70 per individual student. However, with the increase number of competitors each year, costs to accommodate them adequately are on the rise.

“Every year, we strive to make [the tournament] safer and more professional,” said Hasan. “The more businesses that hear about us, the more support we get…so right now, we’re just trying to get D.C. MIST out to the community.”

To learn more about MIST, visit www.getmistified.com.