Iqra Marathon Concludes Successfully With Nearly 1.5 Million Pages Read In 17 Arab Libraries

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, recently wrapped up the Iqra Marathon. This reading event was held in partnership with the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information and 17 Arab libraries. Participants from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Tunisia, and Algeria collectively read nearly 1.5 million pages during the marathon.

Over four days, the marathon drew a diverse audience from schools and universities. The event's activities were enriching and encouraged active participation. Many attendees appreciated the focus on reading competitions, which highlighted the significance of knowledge production and advanced reading skills.

Participants from the 17 Arab libraries showed great enthusiasm by exploring various topics. Heron Emzi from China noted the cultural diversity at the event. Emzi mentioned enjoying English-language books and a novel over three days, appreciating the range of selections suitable for all ages.

Buthaina Al-Mohammed, an academic participant who attended with a student team, remarked: "Discovering knowledge requires wide spaces and exploratory platforms that encourage even reluctant readers to delve deeper into the world of reading." She stressed the need for a comprehensive view on reading to foster a unique cultural identity.

The marathon provided an exceptional platform for exchanging ideas and knowledge among Arab audiences across 17 libraries. Organizers described it as a unique opportunity to promote a reading culture in public libraries. The event aimed to enhance engagement through diverse literary offerings.

Ithra committed to planting a tree for every 100 pages read as part of its dedication to learning and cultural enrichment. In collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, this initiative has resulted in planting over 8,000 saplings from previous marathon editions.

The results of participating libraries were displayed on screens at Ithra, drawing significant attention from various community segments. The concept of reading competitions was well-received, emphasizing the importance of developing advanced reading skills and producing knowledge.

With inputs from SPA