Arab Reading Challenge 2025 Community Champion Finals Commence In Dubai With Global Participants

The final qualifying round for the Community Champion title in the 9th Arab Reading Challenge has begun in Dubai. This event, the largest Arabic literacy initiative globally, will determine the top three winners. The announcement of the overall Arab Reading Champion is set for 23rd October at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Participants in the Community Champion category have progressed through several stages during this ninth edition. In Dubai's final round, they undergo an oral assessment to evaluate their skills. Contestants must eloquently present key ideas from 25 books they have read, showcasing their understanding and insights.

This category was introduced at the end of the second edition and launched in the third. It allows participation from students outside the Arab world, including learners of Arabic and non-native speakers. The judging panel evaluates reading attainment and how well students express ideas in their own words.

Students are expected to demonstrate strong discussion, critique, and analytical skills. They must connect ideas and concepts effectively while delivering their thoughts confidently. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that participants can articulate their understanding clearly.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), stated that the Arab Reading Challenge continues to achieve significant milestones. It expands its reach across the Arab world and beyond, positively influencing education and culture while elevating the status of the Arabic language.

Al Gergawi highlighted how this reflects His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision to prioritise knowledge cultivation among new generations. He emphasised promoting reading as a vital pathway to nurturing minds and refining talents.

Expatriate Communities' Role

Al Gergawi also underscored expatriate communities' crucial role in preserving Arabic language and culture where they reside. Their engagement with the Arab Reading Challenge is central to advancing its impact, demonstrating commitment to its mission and goals through annual participation.

The challenge operates under MBRGI and has seen record participation in its ninth edition. Over 32 million students from 50 countries participated, representing 132,112 schools guided by 161,004 supervisors.

Finalists from Around the World

The finalists for the Community Champion title include Tuqa Ahmed Hashim (Australia), Baraa Radwan Al Zaeem (Brazil), Jannat Arkan Mohammed (China), Masa Al Khateeb (Germany), Nawar Mawed (Norway), Lilia Burhan (Austria), Razan Hassan Al Masri (USA), Mirna Ahmed Shamsuddine (Greece), Jehad Mohammed Murad (Italy), Najmuddine Rashid Nemeh (England), Jood Naddaf (Belgium), Norseen Shorfi (Türkiye), Qassim Amed Qassim (Scotland), Alma Al Muti (Switzerland), Tahseen Yousef Al Droobi (Finland), Abdulrahman Mahmoud Badr (Canada), Tayem Al Elaiwi (Luxembourg), Ibtisam Adeeb (Malaysia), Yara Musa Eid (New Zealand), Zaid Sarhan (France), Raghad Mohammaed Ziad (The Netherlands), Mohammed Mafongal (India), Sondos Al Hindi (Ireland), Maria Naqawa (Sweden), Mariam Omar Adib (Denmark) and Rahmat Anchuri (Indonesia).

Past Title Holders

Previous Community Champion title holders include Tasneem Aidi from France in the third edition, Mahmoud Bilal from Sweden in the fourth edition, Alexander Voros from Italy in the fifth edition, Nada Al Satri from Belgium in the sixth edition, Mohammed Abdulraqib Ali Ahmed Al Kawkabani from Malaysia in the seventh edition, and Mohammed Al-Refaie from Sweden in the eighth edition.

The Arab Reading Challenge was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2015 as a major literacy initiative. It aims to promote reading among students across and beyond the Arab world while strengthening language skills like comprehension and self-expression.

This initiative seeks to instill a lasting passion for knowledge and reading among new generations. It equips them with tools for a better future while shaping their character by exposing them to diverse cultures' customs, beliefs, and traditions. The challenge promotes tolerance principles through this cultural exchange.

With inputs from WAM