MIST Philly Regionals were held for the second consecutive year at Drexel University from April 19-20. Muslim Interscholastic Tournament is a non-profit organization that offers Muslim high school students a space to explore their talents through creativity, competition and connection. The competition is held for high school students from the greater Philadelphia area and was organized by college students and recent graduates. It was a two-day event, with competitors having a packed schedule that began with arriving at 8:00 a.m. for registration and ending by 9:00 pm, gearing up for the day ahead.
This year, MIST Philly expanded its venues, reaching a new record-breaking number of 468 registered competitors. They utilized several buildings across Drexel’s campus, including the Main Building, Behrakis Grand Hall and the Daskalakis Athletic Center. The Main Building hosted over 40 competitions, while Behrakis Hall was primarily used for hosting workshops and congregational prayers, such as Duhr and Asr, and the DAC was used to host the award ceremony.
MIST Philly’s theme, “A Legacy of Learning: Turning Knowledge into Action,” emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge in Islam, which was highlighted through a series of workshops held by the Programs committee.
Programs chair Fatemah Butt’s journey with MIST began in 2018. She shared that the planning process is an intricate and months-long effort, involving two subcommittees within the Programs team.
“The presentation team handles the aesthetic elements of the season, like theme design, stage design, decorations, and merchandise,” says Butt. “Meanwhile, the workshop team works on creating a non-competition-based program to keep competitors engaged.”
This year’s most successful workshop was the career panel, which included diverse professionals from various fields, including healthcare, engineering and law. “What made it particularly effective was the structured station-based format, where each panelist had their own dedicated area where competitors could rotate through for personalized one-on-one conversations,” shared Butt.
“This format fostered meaningful connections as panelists shared both their professional journeys and how they integrate their faith into their careers,” Butt continued.
Programs is just one of six committees, which include Marketing, Registration, Logistics, Finance and Competitions. Out of the competitions held over the weekend, some of the most popular were MIST Bowl, 2D Art and Photography.
Competitions chair Aamina Farooq, a recent graduate of West Chester University, has been part of the MIST community for nearly a decade.
“MIST Bowl — a fast-paced, team-based trivia competition — is a fan favorite for its excitement and energy, as teams race to answer questions and outsmart their opponents in a fun, competitive environment,” Farooq explains.
Two emcees kept the crowd highly energized as competitors broke into chant wars for their teams. Competitors’ chants echoed through the building, and the atmosphere was filled with friendly rivalry.
Farooq shared her most meaningful moment of the weekend: “Watching my coordinators grow into true leaders.” Through countless calls and preparations before the weekend, her team ensured that volunteers and competitors felt supported.
“Because of their hard work and attention to detail, everything ran so smoothly,” Farooq recalls. “Throughout the weekend, we received so much positive feedback from competitors, parents, and judges. Seeing the competitors’ excitement and the friendships being made reminded me that every moment of effort was worth it.”
Humza Imam, a senior biology major at Drexel, has been involved with MIST for a total of eight years: four years of competing and four years as an organizer. Imam’s role has evolved throughout his time with MIST Philly. Starting as a registration coordinator, he worked his way up to chairing both regional and national events. Last year, he was the associate director for MIST Philly, and this year, he has taken on the role of regional director.
As regional director, Imam’s responsibilities vary. He oversees six committees, working alongside his associate directors, Ahmad Mahmood and Natasha Chowdhury, to ensure everything runs smoothly.
“This involves helping our chairs and coordinators create and meet timelines, ensuring our region is in accordance with national standards and minor protection guidelines, and collaborating with the venue to confirm the event based on our needs. Most importantly, I try to create an overarching vision for the entire team,” Imam explained.
But for Imam, it is not just about logistics – it is about impact. “The most rewarding aspect has been being a part of providing the same space and experience that was provided for me as a high schooler—to be around Muslims my age with similar experiences and passions,” he shared. “During the weekend, I always do my best to have as many conversations with competitors as I can, and it’s extremely rewarding to see the personality and excitement exude from our high schoolers.”
That sense of connection is something Imam values. “The opportunity to meet, befriend, and be a leader amongst our amazing organizers has also been an extremely rewarding experience,” he said. “From all sides, MIST has provided me with an incredible sense of community, and I can’t express my gratitude for it in words.”
Islam was the foundation of the event, as directors, organizers, coaches and competitors were continually immersed in its essence through activities like Quran and Nasheed Night. An atmosphere of Islamic unity perfused Quranic recitations and nasheed performances, the atmosphere was filled with Islamic unity that Muslim youth could deeply connect with. This reinforced the idea that MIST is more than just a tournament; it is about building and fostering a community rooted in faith, brotherhood, and sisterhood.