The Emirates News Agency reported that the closing ceremony for the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge will take place on October 29 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will patronise the event and attend in person to honour the top achievers. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives organises the annual programme that promotes reading and knowledge among young people throughout the region and beyond.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives figures show this year’s edition drew a record 40,286,428 students from 60 countries, marking a 24 percent increase over the previous cycle. The total represents 48 percent of all school students in the Arab world and included 74,062 participants in the People of Determination category. A total of 138,426 schools and 161,507 supervisors supported the effort across the participating nations.
Since its launch in 2015 the Arab Reading Challenge has engaged more than 203 million students over 10 editions according to data compiled by the organising body. Participation has expanded by more than 1,000 percent from the inaugural edition that attracted 3.6 million students. The initiative has steadily widened its international footprint while maintaining a strong focus on Arabic language and literature.
A UNESCO assessment found that 93 percent of participants improved their Arabic language skills while 96 percent reported increased self-confidence after taking part in the challenge. The programme requires students to read summarise and demonstrate comprehension of 50 books as part of a structured evaluation process. Qualifiers from national rounds advance to the final stages hosted in Dubai each year.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, affirmed that the Arab Reading Challenge reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to prioritise nurturing knowledgeable open-minded generations. He added that the project equips youth with tools of learning and creates an environment supporting reading and knowledge acquisition. Al Gergawi noted that the initiative deepens appreciation for the Arabic language while encouraging exploration of global literature and culture to foster independent thought.
Prizes for the main Arab Reading Champion title include AED 500,000 for first place with additional awards for second and third according to programme guidelines issued by the organisers. Similar cash prizes recognise outstanding schools, supervisors and winners in the People of Determination category. The upcoming ceremony will build on achievements from earlier editions that saw winners from countries including Tunisia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Yemen.