Community Campaign Promotes Sustainable Reading, Reaching Over 57,000 Beneficiaries In Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has successfully surpassed its goal of promoting the Arabic language and reading through its Community Campaign to Promote Sustainable Reading. Initially targeting 50,000 beneficiaries, the campaign has reached 57,549 people, achieving 115 percent of its original aim. This success highlights the community's engagement with the initiative.

To build on this achievement, the ALC introduced a new initiative called Build Your Home Library. This programme encourages families to establish home libraries and integrate reading into their daily routines. The initiative will first target employees of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) before expanding to schools and government entities across the emirate.

Participants in the Build Your Home Library initiative will receive sets of 54 books from over 800 titles published by the ALC. This marks the 54th UAE National Day and aims to link reading with creativity and innovation. The programme promotes reading as a means to enhance productivity and inspire cultural awareness among participants.

Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC, emphasised that this new initiative supports the objectives of the Community Campaign to Support Sustainable Reading. It also strengthens DCT Abu Dhabi’s role as an institution fostering knowledge and culture. He noted that exceeding the campaign’s target reflects Emirati pride in cultural heritage and ALC’s success in meeting diverse societal needs.

"These indicators, coupled with the rise in beneficiaries, have inspired the launch of this new initiative to help families establish rich home libraries," Al Tunaiji said. "Academic and intellectual excellence have long been linked to homes filled with books that nurture curiosity and lifelong learning."

The Community Campaign to Promote Sustainable Reading will continue until the end of 2025. It has already delivered over 2,000 creative activities, including 250 major events. These efforts are in collaboration with 97 government and private partners and around 400 creatives, reflecting ALC’s commitment to making reading a sustainable cultural habit.

The campaign aims to expand Arabic content while strengthening community identity in support of a knowledge-based economy. By engaging various sectors of society, it seeks to promote reading as an integral part of cultural development.

With inputs from WAM