Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of the Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, highlighted the remarkable growth of the Arab Reading Challenge over the past decade. The initiative has seen participant numbers soar from 3.6 million students in its inaugural year to an impressive 32 million currently, with the number of participating schools rising from 30,000 to 132,000. He emphasized that the challenge has evolved from a regional initiative to a global intellectual movement, now engaging students from 50 countries, including children from Arab communities and foreign schools teaching Arabic, as well as students with determination.
Al Gergawi pointed out that since its launch in 2015, more than 163 million Arab students have participated in the challenge, reflecting its significant impact and the successful promotion of reading habits among new generations. He noted that the challenge has become a model for Arab communities to inspire continuous learning and cultivate a culture of reading and critical thought.
In his address, Al Gergawi discussed findings from a research study conducted in collaboration with UNESCO to assess the impact of the Arab Reading Challenge. The study confirmed that reading has transformed into a daily habit for students rather than a mere school activity. Among the key findings, 80% of participants stated that their love for reading and curiosity were the primary incentives for joining the challenge, rather than the prizes. There was a 148% increase in students reading more than 50 books annually, accompanied by a 122% rise in the frequency of daily or near-daily reading. Moreover, time dedicated to reading each week surged by 157%. The data revealed that 48% of students began borrowing books from libraries, and 41% purchased new books after participating in the challenge. Al Gergawi expressed that these outcomes signify a fundamental shift in reading behavior throughout the Arab world, promising a generation that is more knowledgeable, aware, and proud of its language and culture.
The study also indicated a notable improvement in students’ Arabic language skills, including reading comprehension, writing, and expression. Seventy-one percent of students reported feeling a stronger connection to their Arab culture and identity after taking part in the challenge.
Al Gergawi noted that the average number of books read per student increased from 8 prior to participation to over 40 per year, while weekly reading time rose from less than one hour to more than 4 hours, equating to around 200 hours of reading annually.
He stated, “We are in a battle against ignorance, and our true fight is to build an informed Arab individual. Ten years ago, it was said that Arabs read for only six minutes a day. Today, the figures demonstrate that we are a nation capable of re-establishing its intellectual brilliance and cultural presence.” He added that the media play a crucial role in conveying this message and solidifying the value of reading within Arab communities.