What is the Islamic perspective regarding participating in a model United Nations program? Is it a competition that is haram? I have very little knowledge of what it is exactly and of what participants have to talk about and ignore if anything that is done there goes against Islam. I hope that you can give me an Islamic perspective.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. 

What we have come to know about this program is that it is a conference to which high school students of both sexes participate from all over the world.

The delegates at this conference provide research on the state which they represent in the conference, in addition to specific topics that are discussed by the committees that they join.

The program aims to provide a real experience for the participants to enable them to learn how matters are handled inside the United Nations with a view to resolving the current international problems. So they see that as an opportunity to involve school students in a dialogue about current international issues where they have the opportunity to access the world of international politics and policymaking.

In principle, there is nothing wrong with a Muslim participating in such a conference if it is hoped that it would achieve a benefit for Islam and the Muslims, provided that it is devoid of Islamic prohibitions, such as forbidden mixing and traveling without a Mahram (permanently unmarriageable kin) – if the participant is a woman and is required to travel – and other reasons of temptation that such conferences mostly involve in this present day and age.

The participant should have firm Islamic knowledge in order to face any misconception that he may encounter so that he may remain safe from temptations that may lead him astray and to be able to defend his religion and his Ummah (community) against its enemies. The participant should have enough knowledge and faith to safeguard himself against misconceptions and temptations.

He should also have knowledge of the reality around him and know the subjects that will be discussed so that he would speak with knowledge and rule with justice, because issuing a ruling on something branches from having knowledge about it.

Allah knows best.