SIST is a series of competitive events and contests designed to test and push skills such as articulation and creative writing, art and design, Islamic knowledge and athletic prowess.

Through these competitions, we wish to provide the young generation with a venue to explore their varied talents and to re-discover their rich culture and roots. In an era where everything from our values, ideals, and beliefs to our aspirations and goals are shrouded with false attires and where some youth may find hindrances to future success, we believe that hosting such events and opening such opportunities for the youth is an honorable responsibility. Furthermore, the event will also serve as an opportunity for students from different institutions to meet and exchange ideas.

Our objective – with the two-day event, our aim is to provide a platform for the young minds who are trying to find their place in society to engage in intellectual discourse, and to come to the realization that Islam is a way of life – a way of life that can and should be incorporated into everything we do.
The competitive events will take place in the first half of Day 1 and Day 2. The rest of the day will be dedicated to food-for-thought talks by renowned speakers.

Each year, with a new theme, we want the participants of SIST to discover that Islam is not a roadblock to professional success and in fact it is strong imaan that paves the path for all accomplishments – both in this life and the hereafter.

Our Theme: Born Free
Freedom?
To some extent, we all are familiar with the meaning it conveys. However, this shining word brings with it a dark wave of incomprehension and that begs me to question: do we know the true definition of freedom?
Our era is defined by millennials who feel confined by their history, their environment and years of social conditioning. We feel thoroughly caged and tied down and are attempting to forge a new path towards peace and freedom. Along with that, uncertainties about the justice and freedom in our faith have stolen the peace of our souls and the lack of an unprejudiced platform to discuss all controversies has led to discontent in our minds.
A new dawn must begin as we step out seeking answers to these controversies. In a world where, under the banner of freedom, feminism, atheism, transgender and homosexual rights have become pressing issues- how are we supposed to navigate our thoughts and dealings, especially when our minds seem to welcome these ideologies?
How can we survive in modern society where cultures mix with the click of a button, where the whole world raises eye brows at Muslims? How must we stand and face all controversies with modest and proper answers which are enough to satisfy our own hearts, if not the opposers. Where do the chains of society begin and boundaries of religion end? How many chains can we break, how many can we willingly and heartily decide not to break?
For the sake of defeating the monster of ever rising controversy and uncertainty, come to SIST 2018 where we learn, debate and find the keys to unlock the cages our minds dwell in- the cages that keep us from seeking true freedom.

Speakers:
Daniel Haqiqatjou, Harward almunus/lecturer (USA)
Adnan Rashid, historian/poet/philanthropist (UK)
Wahaj Siraj, CEO NAYATEL/entrepreneur
Kamran Abdur Rauf, entrepreneur/trainer
Ovais Mangalwala, film maker/ T.v. presenter
Dr. Habib ur Rehman Asim, scholar/academician
Raja Zia ul Haq, CEO Youth Club
Saad Mehmood, astrophysicist/lecturer
Dr. Yousuf Raza, psychiatrist/CEO Muslims United
Ayesha Khattak, Lawyer/counsellor
Mariam Afzal, researcher/ teacher

Competitions:
Category 1 THE ARTS
Art on the spot
Calligraphy
Photography
Anasheed
Short films

Category 2 KNOWLEDGE & QURAN
Jeopardy
RSOC
Hifz

Category 3 ARTICULATION AND WRITING
Debates
Spoken word
Bait bazi
Journalism
Essay writing (urdu and english)

Category 4 MISCELLANEOUS
Table tennis (boys + girls)
Graphics
Business ideas
Gaming
Math olympiad
Futsal (boys only)

Category 5 BONUS
Scavenger hunt