The Official MIST 2023 Rulebook is now available!
Please note that certain sections of the rulebook have changed from those of previous years. Both new and returning competitors should be sure to read over the rules for each category they intend on competing in carefully. For more information about the new rulebook and the changes that have been put into effect for the 2023 tournament, visit the MIST Nationals rulebook release announcement. 
  • General Rules
  • Eligibility
  • Dress Code
  • Rule Book
  • 2023 Books & Topics
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  • Competitions will still be run as school-based teams. Only one (1) team will be allowed per school.
  • Competitors will compete with the school they are currently registered with. If a competitor is attending a modified school due to the pandemic, please contact your region for details.
  • Competitors may only sign up/compete in one competition per category.
  • If students choose to enroll in a sports or E-sports competition (pilot or national), they must also be enrolled in at least one non-sports competition.
  • Some competitions have been altered for an online format and will only last for this year (inshAllah). Others have returned to the in-person format.
a. MANY competitions have changed in either how they are run, when they are submitted, or how many competitors may sign up per team.
b. Prepared Essay, Poetry, and Short Fiction have remained combined into one (1) competition - Creative Writing.
c.  E-Sports competitions will be released in an E-Sports Addendum Rulebook.​
  • While preparing for or making your projects, especially when work with others, local, state, or national guidelines for pandemic safety MUST be abided by, such as social distancing, facemasks, or gathering size limitations. Teams which break any such rules or guidelines will automatically be disqualified and referred to the relevant public health authorities.
In addition to the rules below, students must be between the ages of 13 and 19 by the first day of the tournament to participate in MIST.

High school students attending public/private high schools
  1. If you are a high school student attending public or private high school, you may be a competitor in MIST if you are a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior.
  2. For those students who attend public/private high schools, you may not join MIST if you have already graduated from high school, regardless of your age.
  3. For those students who have graduated from high school and would like to volunteer their time to help out with MIST, we welcome your offer of help. You can let us know you want to volunteer by contacting your Regional Headquarters.

Home Schooled Students
The following rules apply ONLY to students who are home schooled:
If you are home schooled, you can join MIST as long as you do not have your high school diploma or GED and/or you are 17 years of age or younger by the first day of the tournament. For example, if you home school and are taking college level classes to fulfill your graduation requirements or to take the GED, you can join MIST. If you are unsure whether you can join MIST, please email your Regional Registration Headquarters.

Students Younger Than 14
Students who are 13 years of age by the first day of the tournament AND who exhibit a strong sense of maturity and intellect may compete in MIST if they complete a one page essay describing why they want to compete. The essay, written in MS Word or another word processor application must be EMAILED to the Associate Director ([email protected]) no later than the early registration date.

Additionally, MIST is for students of any faith: Since our topics and workshops are geared towards developing critical thinking skills while promoting a greater understanding of Islam and Muslims, MIST is a great educational opportunity for anyone who is interested in broadening their socio-environmental knowledge. Hence, we encourage people of all different faiths and backgrounds to be a part of their high school MIST team. With so much going on in the world today, understanding the faith of over a billion inhabitants of our planet has never been more important. Through MIST, we hope to train the future leaders of this world with the right tools to garner a global environment of respect, understanding, and peace.
No previous Islamic knowledge required. MIST is not only for well-informed Muslims/non-Muslims, but also for the average Joes, who have little or no information about Islam or Muslims but are willing to learn. All students need to have is a desire to increase their knowledge, develop their talents, exercise their creativity, and have fun! Through our invigorating competitions and engaging workshops, we hope to make learning about Islam and Muslims both easy and fun for everyone!
The following dress code will be required at MIST:
  • Students cannot wear clothes that contain language or symbols that demean an identifiable person or group or otherwise infringe on the rights of others.
  • Students should wear business casual attire for all their interviews with the judges.
  • Students should not wear short sleeve shirts, shorts, and/or skirts above the ankle. 
  • Students should not wear clothes that are see through, tight, or suggestive in any way. Shirts should be long enough to cover the stomach and back side. Students should not wear low rise pants that show any skin.
Dress points may be considered in each competition.
Note: There is no compulsion in religion, nor in MIST. We simply and kindly ask for cooperation in creating a modest and professional environment.
This year's Knowledge Test books are:
  • Test 1: The Glass Universe, by Dava Sobel
  • Test 2: Centering Black Narrative: Black Muslim Nobles Among the Early Pious Muslims, by Ahmad Mubarak and Dawud Walid
    The initial book for this test has been switched to the one above due to unsuitable themes and contents.
  • Test 3: When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World, by Hugh Kennedy.
    Poetry passages will not be tested on.

This year’s MIST Bowl topics are: