Dubai Ruler to crown champions of world’s largest reading contest
Celebrating 32 million young readers from 50 nations across the Arab world
DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will crown the winners of the ninth Arab Reading Challenge during a grand ceremony this Thursday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Under his patronage, the world’s largest Arabic-language reading initiative concludes another record-breaking year, celebrating 32 million students from 132,000 schools across 50 countries.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that “spreading knowledge will remain the UAE’s steadfast approach that underscores its mission to foster an Arab generation eager to learn, to constantly expand their horizons, and to serve their nation.”
In a statement ahead of the event, the Ruler of Dubai highlighted that “millions of students working hard to read 50 books each year is proof that passion for knowledge is inexhaustible, that reading is the path to reclaim civilisation, and that the Arabic language will remain integral to our nation’s identity, spirit and future.”
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), said the challenge reflects the UAE’s enduring commitment to advancing education and culture across the Arab world. Launched in 2015, the initiative continues to inspire young Arabs to read, explore cultures, value their language, and strive for excellence.
Arab Reading Challenge 2025
This year’s edition saw participation from 32 million students representing 132,112 schools, supported by 161,004 supervisors. MBRGI, which organises the challenge, confirmed that preparations are complete for the closing ceremony that will honour the top readers, educators and institutions.
Awards will be presented in several categories — the Arab Reading Challenge Champion, the People of Determination Champion, the Best School, the Outstanding Supervisor, and the Communities Champion.
Arab Reading Champion
The Arab Reading Champion will receive a cash prize of Dh500,000, while the second and third place winners will be awarded Dh100,000 and Dh70,000 respectively.
Among the contenders for the overall title are Adam Al Rawdani (Morocco), AlGhala Abdullah Al Hajeri (Qatar), Edris Ali Alyami (Saudi Arabia), Baraa Mohammed Saeed (Djibouti), Mohammed Ahmed Al Hassanin (Al Azhar Al Sharif), Hiba Abu Baker (Palestine), Taghreed Mohammed (Egypt), Ghaleya Naser Al Anazi (Kuwait), Mohammed Jassim Ibrahim (Bahrain), Mariam Mohammed Shamekh (Mauritania), Lamar Tariq Al Jaafreh (Jordan), Abdulrazzaq Al Asmar (Lebanon), Reem Adel Al Zarouni (UAE), Aysha Nizar Kazim (Iraq), twin sisters Bisan and Baylasan Kouka (Tunisia), Nuha Taha Abdulsalam (Libya), Rahaf Sami Abdullah (Yemen) and Nardeen Fadi Issa (Syria).
People of Determination Award
A key highlight of the evening will be the recognition of students of determination who have overcome challenges to achieve reading excellence. Winners in this category will receive Dh200,000 for first place, Dh100,000 for second, and Dh50,000 for third.
The finalists represent a wide spectrum of Arab nations, including Weam Shakouk (Morocco), Ali Nasser Dalmouk (Qatar), Rafeef Mohammed Al Senani (Saudi Arabia), Mohammed Reda Suleiman (Al Azhar Al Sharif), Hala Abdullah Salahuddin (Palestine), Basmala Salahuddim Suleiman (Egypt), Rasha Salman Al Khalaf (Kuwait), Fatima Kazim Mohammed (Bahrain), Layan Adnan Manasrah (Jordan), Thulfiqar Ali Sabra (Lebanon), Abdullah Ahmed Al Dhanhani (UAE), Maria Hassan Ojail (Iraq), Rahma Budann (Tunisia), Moyaadulhaq Ali Al Zain (Libya), Anhar Abdulkarim Abdulrahman (Yemen) and Mohammed Turba Dar (Syria).
Best School Award
The Best School title will honour the institution that has most effectively delivered the challenge’s ninth edition in alignment with its reading criteria, student participation rate and community engagement. The top prize is Dh1 million, with Dh500,000 and Dh300,000 going to the second and third place schools respectively.
Country-level winners competing for the top recognition include Fatima Al Andalusia School (Morocco), Bilal bin Rabah School (Qatar), Ibn Khaldoun Primary School – Al Nafal (Saudi Arabia), Al Atara Secondary School for Girls (Palestine), Balkim Primary School (Egypt), Abraq Khaitan Middle School (Kuwait), Al Hidd Intermediate School (Bahrain), Tarablus Al Haddadin School (Lebanon), Al Fajr Modern School (Mauritania), Atika bint Zaid School – 1st Cycle (UAE), Hafir Al Mahr School (Tunisia), Qaraqra Intermediate School (Libya) and Al Bayan Model School (Syria).
Outstanding Supervisor
The Arab Reading Challenge will also spotlight supervisors who have been instrumental in guiding students through the competition, fostering a culture of reading and supporting comprehension and analysis. The first-place winner will receive Dh300,000, while the runners-up will be awarded Dh100,000 and Dh50,000.
Country-level finalists include Al Saadiya Azado (Morocco), Ali Salim Saffouri (Qatar), Maha Saeed Al Thubaiti (Saudi Arabia), Rana Farid Salmi (Palestine), Sahar Misbah (Egypt), Fatima Salem Muhsin (Kuwait), Shaikha Mohammed Al Rumeihi (Bahrain), Osama Al Safi (Jordan), Inath Baydoun (Lebanon), Khadija Mohammed Bezied (Mauritania), Zahra Hamad Ibrahim (UAE), Aliyya Bu Ishaq (Tunisia), Bashir Mohammed Al Eisawi (Libya) and Rashad Salem Ahmed (Syria).
In addition, the Communities Champion category will award a total of Dh200,000, distributed as Dh100,000 for first place, Dh70,000 for second and Dh30,000 for third.
Previous winners
Since its inception in 2015, the Arab Reading Challenge has reached extraordinary milestones. Over nine editions, total participation has surpassed 163 million students, involving more than 927,000 schools and 877,000 supervisors across the Arab world and beyond.
Participation has surged from 3.6 million students in the inaugural edition to 32 million in this year’s qualifiers – a remarkable increase of over 795%. The initiative continues to underline the UAE’s vision for nurturing a knowledge-based society and strengthening the Arabic language as a bridge to innovation and cultural pride.
Last year’s eighth edition drew 28.2 million participants from 50 countries. The titles went to Hatem Mohammed Jassim Al Tarkawi (Syria), Kadi bint Musaffar Al Khathaami (Saudi Arabia) and Salsabil Hassan Sawalha (Palestine), while Mohammed Ahmed Hassan Abdul Halim from Egypt (Al-Azhar Al-Sharif) led the People of Determination category.
Al Ibdaa School – Cycle 1 (UAE) won Best School, Rabie Ahmed (Syria) was named Outstanding Supervisor, and student Mohammed Al-Refaie (Sweden) earned the Communities Champion title.
Launched under Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision, the Arab Reading Challenge seeks to revive a culture of reading in the Arab world. It aims to strengthen students’ comprehension and self-expression skills, build their curiosity, and nurture a lifelong love for knowledge. Through its inclusive, inspiring platform, it also promotes tolerance, coexistence and an understanding of cultural diversity – principles that continue to shape future generations of Arab thinkers and innovators.