Middle East Youth Summit (MEYS) 2027: Fully & Self-Funded Opportunity for Muslim Youth to Perform Umrah, Network, and Build Global Leadership Skills in Makkah

Registration is officially open for the Middle East Youth Summit (MEYS) 2027, and it's one of the most exciting opportunities for young Muslims around the world right now. If you've been looking for a programme that combines leadership development, global networking, and the chance to perform Umrah — all in one experience — this is it.

What is the Middle East Youth Summit?

MEYS is an annual international leadership and empowerment programme organised by Youth Break the Boundaries (YBB), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to youth development that has been running international youth conferences (including the Istanbul Youth Summit, Japan Youth Summit, and Korea Youth Summit) since 2017.

The 2027 edition is the 7th edition of MEYS, and it will hold in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, from 22–25 March 2027. The summit unites young Muslim leaders from around the world with the mission of building a stronger, more collaborative Ummah — combining Islamic values with sustainable development principles.

Over the four days, participants can expect:

- Performing Umrah

- A city tour and university visit

- Panel discussions with SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) experts

- Social project presentations

- An awarding night

Who Is It For?

MEYS 2027 is open to:

• Muslim youth aged 15–40 (participants under 18 are advised to travel with a guardian)

• All nationalities and academic backgrounds — there are no restrictions on field of study or profession

• Applicants with basic English communication skills — note that no TOEFL or IELTS is required, which makes this far more accessible than many international youth programmes

• Applicants must have no criminal record and must not be affiliated with any extremist or radical organisation

Funding Options

There are two participation tracks:

• Fully Funded — competitive, and typically requires an essay/interview process based on past editions

• Self-Funded — open automatically to those who aren't selected for full funding, with no essay or interview required

Funding operates on a reimbursement basis and covers airport pickup, accommodation, meals, summit access, local transportation, official merchandise, and Umrah. Flights, visas, and personal expenses are the participant's responsibility.

Awards You Can Win

- Best Project

- Best Participant

- Best Presenter (Male & Female)

- Winners also receive certificates of achievement, medals, and a spotlight across MEYS's global platforms.

Deadlines

- Fully Funded application deadline: 10 November 2026

- Self-Funded application deadline: 22 February 2027

Given how competitive the fully funded slots tend to be, it's best not to wait until the last minute if that's the track you're aiming for.

How to Apply

Apply here: middleeastyoutsummit.com

Full guidelines: s.id/guidelinemeys7th

For enquiries, you can also reach the organisers directly via email at middleeastyouthsummit@gmail.com or WhatsApp.

Final Thoughts

For young Muslims — especially from Nigeria and across Africa — who want to build global leadership experience, connect with peers from dozens of countries, contribute to SDG-aligned social projects, and perform Umrah in the process, MEYS 2027 is a rare all-in-one opportunity. With no TOEFL/IELTS requirement and a self-funded pathway available to those not selected for full funding, it's genuinely open to a wide range of applicants — not just the highly competitive few.

If this sounds like you, don't sleep on the 10 November 2026 deadline for fully funded slots.