UAE's Sheikh Mohammed Honours Winners Of The Arab Reading Challenge

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, recently met with the winners of the 8th Arab Reading Challenge UAE qualifiers. The meeting, held at Al Mudeef Majlis in Union House, included Ahmad Faisal Ali, who won the UAE champion title, and Sulaiman Khamis Al Khadim, who topped the People of Determination category.

Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the winners and praised their dedication to reading. He also acknowledged the support from their parents and teachers. "I am incredibly proud of the 700,000 students across the UAE who participated in the world’s largest reading challenge," he stated. He emphasised that reading is crucial for lifelong learning and continuous development.

The Arab Reading Challenge initiative is organised under Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). Last week, a ceremony at Dubai World Trade Centre crowned Ahmad Faisal Ali as the winner among over 700,000 students from 1,174 schools. Sulaiman Khamis Sulaiman Al Khadim won in the People of Determination category after intense competition among three finalists.

Asem Abbara from Abu Dhabi was awarded 'Outstanding Supervisor,' while Al Ebdaa Model School – Cycle 1 in Dubai received the 'Outstanding School' title. The event celebrated top performers who excelled in promoting Arabic reading culture.

The Arab Reading Challenge aims to foster a widespread Arabic reading movement. It encourages young people to use Arabic daily and learn about other cultures. This initiative helps instill principles of tolerance and coexistence among youth.

Top Performers Honoured

At the UAE level, ten students reached the final round alongside Ahmad Faisal Ali. These include Saud Ahmad Salem Al Kaabi (Grade 7), Khalid Abdullah Al Hammadi (Grade 12), Aisha Humaid Obaid Al Khayyal (Grade 7), Hamed Ahmed Mohammed Al Hafiti (Grade 7), Medyah Saif Al Tenaiji (Grade 7), Abdulrahman Essa Al Khater (Grade 12), Mariam Mashhour (Grade 11), Hessa Hassan Al Bloushi (Grade 8), and Alia Al Sayyed Al Shahhat (Grade 7).

Sheikh Mohammed highlighted that education and knowledge are key to national advancement. "We continue to support reading initiatives because we believe in the first command given to us humans from God: ‘Read’," he added.

The ceremony underscored Sheikh Mohammed's commitment to nurturing exceptional talent and empowering youth through knowledge acquisition. His efforts aim to inspire them to read Arabic books and strengthen their connection to their language and heritage.

This year's Arab Reading Challenge saw significant participation from students across various emirates. Their achievements reflect a collective effort towards fostering a culture of reading within the UAE.

The event not only recognised individual excellence but also highlighted collective contributions towards promoting Arabic literacy. The initiative continues to play a vital role in shaping a knowledgeable future generation.

With inputs from WAM