Image Credit: DMO
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to promoting knowledge and education across the Arab world, emphasising that “spreading knowledge will remain our nation’s enduring mission.”
Under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed, the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge will conclude with an awards ceremony on 23 October 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, celebrating outstanding young readers, schools, and educators from across the region.
Sheikh Mohammed announced:
“Next Thursday, we celebrate 32 million students from 132,000 schools who took part in the ninth edition of the world’s largest reading competition. The fact that millions of students work hard to read 50 books every year is proof that passion for knowledge is inexhaustible that reading is the path to reclaim civilisation and that the Arabic language will always remain central to our identity, spirit, and future.”
A Global Celebration of Arabic Literacy
Launched in 2015 as part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the Arab Reading Challenge is the largest Arabic-language reading initiative ever undertaken, aiming to instil a culture of reading and learning among Arab youth worldwide.
According to Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of MBRGI, this year’s record-breaking participation “reflects the growing awareness among Arab youth of the power of knowledge and language.”
“The Challenge has strengthened confidence in the ability of new Arab generations to absorb modern knowledge, hone their skills, and contribute effectively to building a knowledge-driven future,” Al Gergawi said.
This year, more than 32 million students from 50 countries, representing 132,112 schools and guided by 161,004 supervisors, took part in the competition marking a new milestone in the region’s pursuit of literacy and learning.
Recognising Excellence
The closing ceremony will honour winners across several categories:
- Arab Reading Challenge Champion (Overall Winner)
- People of Determination Champion
- Best School
- Outstanding Supervisor
- Communities Champion
The Arab Reading Champion will receive AED 500,000, with the second and third-place winners receiving AED 100,000 and AED 70,000, respectively.
Country-level champions competing for the top title include Reem Adel Al Zarouni (UAE), Adam Al Rawdani (Morocco), AlGhala Abdullah Al Hajeri (Qatar), Edris Ali Alyami (Saudi Arabia), and Taghreed Mohammed (Egypt), among others from 18 Arab nations.
In the People of Determination category, the first, second, and third-place winners will receive AED 200,000, AED 100,000, and AED 50,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Best School Award carries a grand prize of AED 1 million, honouring the institution that most effectively engaged students and promoted Arabic literacy. The second and third-place schools will receive AED 500,000 and AED 300,000.
Leading contenders include Atika bint Zaid School Cycle 1 (UAE), Fatima Al Andalusia School (Morocco), and Ibn Khaldoun Primary School (Saudi Arabia).
The Outstanding Supervisor Award recognises educators who played a pivotal role in nurturing a culture of reading and guiding students through their literary journey, with cash prizes of AED 300,000, AED 100,000, and AED 50,000 for the top three winners.
A Legacy of Literacy
Since its inception, the Arab Reading Challenge has witnessed the participation of over 163 million students, 927,000 schools, and 877,000 supervisors, making it the most extensive literacy initiative in the Arabic-speaking world.
Participation has grown exponentially from 3.6 million students in the first edition to over 32 million in 2025, representing an increase of nearly 800% in just nine years.
The initiative aims to reinforce the role of the Arabic language as a bridge between generations and cultures, nurturing curiosity, creativity, and cultural pride among young Arabs. It also encourages values of tolerance, coexistence, and global understanding through exposure to diverse ideas and perspectives.
Reflecting on the initiative’s broader vision, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said:
“Reading builds generations capable of shaping the future. It is how we preserve our language, sustain our culture, and contribute to the progress of humanity.”
As the UAE prepares to celebrate the latest champions of reading, the Arab Reading Challenge continues to inspire millions across the region proving that the written word remains one of the most powerful tools for enlightenment and progress.
