DUBAI: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has expressed his pride in the Arab Reading Challenge's growing influence.
“Our new generations have proven themselves ready to carry the torch of Arab civilisation and its timeless language," Sheikh Al Maktoum said in a statement.
Under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed, the Arab Reading Challenge will celebrate the winners of its 8th edition on October 23, during a grand ceremony at Dubai Opera.
What makes 8th Arab Reading Challenge special?
The 8th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge has witnessed remarkable participation, with over 28 million students from 229,000 schools across 50 countries. Sheikh Mohammed shared his pride in this achievement, stating: “I am immensely proud of this generation's renewed embrace of reading, and confident that their knowledge and hope will empower them to navigate the future."
He further added, “Arab generations are passionate about reading; they have the awareness and capability to build a better future. A nation that embraces reading as a guiding principle will never fade.”
Which categories will be honoured?
The awards will recognise achievements across several categories. These include the prestigious Arab Reading Champion 2024, as well as the People of Determination Champion, Best School, Outstanding Supervisor, and Community Champion.
The Arab Reading Champion winner will be awarded AED 500,000, while the second and third place winners will receive AED 100,000 and AED 70,000 respectively.
People of Determination
In the People of Determination category, the winner will receive AED 200,000, while the second and third place winners will be awarded AED 100,000 and AED 50,000, respectively. This category recognises students with unique challenges who have excelled in the competition.
Qualifying students in this category include Saif Nabil Zein (Qatar), Abdullah Jaafar Baqer (Bahrain), Ali Mohammed Ali Jibril (Ministry of Education - Egypt), Mohammed Ahmed Hassan Abdul Halim (Al-Azhar Al-Sharif), Kawthar Al Qurashi (Morocco), Latifa Al Azemi (Kuwait), Raed Sami Al Awaisha (Jordan), Joan Assem Asaad (Palestine), Sulaiman Khamis Sulaiman Al Khadim (UAE), Mahjouba Hamoud (Mauritania), Abrar Mazhar Alawi (Iraq), Youssef Ibrahim (Syria), Leen Haitham Al Rimah (Lebanon), Habiba Misbah Ammar Al Lafi (Libya), Louay Al Sharif (Tunisia), and Raneem Fahad Al Lahibi (Saudi Arabia).
Best School Award
The Best School award will honour the institution that has demonstrated exceptional success in implementing the qualifying stages of the challenge, showcasing widespread participation and impressive results in reading and summarising 50 books by each student. The winning school will receive AED 1 million, while the second and third place schools will be awarded AED 500,000 and AED 300,000, respectively.
Schools that have qualified for the final state and compete for the title include: Al-Khawarizmi Primary School for Girls (Qatar), Sitra Secondary School for Girls (Bahrain), Zahour Al Yasmin Private School (Ministry of Education - Egypt), Iqra Foundation (Morocco), Arwa Bint Abdul Muttalib School (Kuwait), Abdullah II School for Excellence (Jordan), Awarta Secondary School for Girls (Palestine), Al Ibdaa’ Model School - Cycle 1 (UAE), Bab Al Hikma School (Mauritania), The First High School for the Gifted (Iraq), Al-Kumait Gifted School (Syria), Al Bashaer Secondary School (Lebanon), Al Fateh Foundation Education School (Libya), Manzel Salem Middle School (Tunisia), and Abu Talha Al Ansari Secondary School (Saudi Arabia).
Outstanding Supervisors
The Outstanding Supervisor award acknowledges those educators who have played a pivotal role in fostering a love for reading among students. The first-place supervisor will receive AED 300,000, while the second and third place winners will receive AED 100,000 and AED 50,000, respectively.
Qualifying supervisors from each participating country include: Nashwa Saad Ahmed (Qatar), Shaikha Mubarak Al Dhaheri (Bahrain), Eman Morsy Al Sayed Morsy (Ministry of Education - Egypt), Najat Sherbeka (Morocco), Afrah Al Matootah (Kuwait), Rami Ahmed Al Harahsheh (Jordan), Fadi Abdul Rahman Abu Hamda (Palestine), Assem Abara (UAE), Al Mustafa Mohamed Injeh (Mauritania), Omar Kamal (Iraq), Rabie Ahmed (Syria), Linda Hussein Wehbe (Lebanon), Rabie Ali Faraj Al Shnakieh (Libya), Sana Al Zarrad (Tunisia), and Mishal bin Ayed Al Malki (Saudi Arabia).
Arab Reading Challenge
The Arab Reading Challenge, launched in 2015 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has grown into one of the largest knowledge competitions in the world. Over eight editions, more than 131 million students have participated, with hundreds of thousands of schools and teachers involved.
Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), Mohammad Al Gergawi, attributed this success to Sheikh Mohammed’s vision of investing in human capital and empowering youth through knowledge. He noted that the Challenge has helped to strengthen the connection between young Arabs and their language, solidifying the role of Arabic as a cornerstone of Arab identity.
Al Gergawi stated, “The Arab Reading Challenge continues its trajectory of success. In its eighth season, it has established itself as a model ecosystem for knowledge competitions, engaging millions of passionate students and promoting reading as a catalyst for cultural exchange and a brighter future."
The Arab Reading Challenge aims to prepare future generations who are passionate about reading and knowledgeable about their Arabic identity. By fostering a love of learning, it helps instil principles of tolerance, coexistence, and cross-cultural dialogue, enabling students to connect with other cultures while preserving their own.