Dubai’s Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, honored twin sisters Bisan and Bailsan from Tunisia with the Arab Reading Challenge Award during the closing ceremony held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The grand event also recognized several outstanding individuals and institutions: Maria Hassan Ajil was awarded in the category for individuals with special needs, while the schools of Atika bint Zayed in the UAE and Tripoli Al-Haddadin in Lebanon were celebrated for their excellence. Additionally, Sahar Abdul Fattah from Egypt was named the distinguished supervisor, and Jihad Mohammed Hussein from Italy was recognized in the category for children from expatriate communities.
Launched in 2015 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Arab Reading Challenge aspires to be the largest reading competition worldwide. Its aim is to promote the significance of reading among participating students across the Arab world and beyond, enhance comprehension skills, and encourage self-expression in proper Arabic. Furthermore, it seeks to instill a love for the Arabic language in young Arab individuals, motivating them to incorporate it into their daily interactions.
Organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, the challenge is committed to fostering a passion for knowledge, reading, and exploration among younger generations, equipping them with essential information to contribute to a brighter future while developing their capabilities and personalities.
Moreover, the initiative aims to build a solid value system in youth by exposing them to the values, traditions, and beliefs of diverse cultures, thereby reinforcing principles of tolerance, coexistence, and acceptance of others.