The twin champions of the Arabic Reading Challenge in its ninth edition, alongside officials and parents, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, for his innovative and diverse knowledge initiatives, particularly the Arabic Reading Challenge, which has significantly impacted the development of Arab communities.
During discussions with *Al-Bayan*, on the sidelines of the award ceremony, they highlighted that this pioneering initiative acts as a key driver in fostering a love for reading and knowledge, establishing a strong connection between the youth and these pursuits.
In this context, Bisan Koukah, one of the Tunisian twin winners who claimed first place in this edition, expressed her pride and gratitude for this accomplishment, extending her thanks to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
She added: “I am incredibly happy to receive this recognition as a reader, which I dedicate to my sister Baysan who shares my passion for reading and competes with me, as well as to my country, Tunisia. I am also proud and delighted to be honored by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, an inspirational and cultured leader.”
Meanwhile, Sahar Mesbah (from Egypt), who won the “Outstanding Supervisor” award, stated that this recognition crowns her extensive and focused efforts. She remarked: “This is a significant achievement that I take great pride in, demonstrating that hard work yields results. I cherish winning in this esteemed and impactful Arab knowledge initiative.”
Sahar elaborated on her initiatives and efforts towards enabling students to pursue cultural and intellectual enrichment. She was determined to overcome various challenges to reach her aspirations, especially as she hails from a rural area with limited internet access and scarce resources for obtaining both digital and physical books.
She continued: “I did not allow these challenges to hinder me; instead, we managed to forge partnerships with several publishing houses to secure our needed books, reaching all the schools in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate and eventually participating in the challenge.”
Abulbaba Zebidi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Tunisian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, emphasized the significance and value of the Arabic Reading Challenge, affirming its role in enriching the development of Arab societies.
He noted: “The recognition of Bisan and Baysan as champions this year sends a multifaceted message, reflecting the status of women in Tunisia and the Arab world. It is a remarkable achievement that fills me with joy to see the Tunisian flag raised at a prestigious event like the Arabic Reading Challenge.”
Dreams and Achievements
Their mother, Inas Raho (a dentist), shared that she anticipated her daughters would excel in the competition, although she did not expect them to win the title. She expressed immense pride in their success, highlighting that this was the third consecutive time the twins participated in the challenge. She noted that reading has become an integral part of their daily lives.
She also mentioned that the school supervisor had always believed from the beginning that her daughters would achieve remarkable success due to their love for reading, proficiency in Arabic, and fluency in expression. Encouraging their participation in the challenge, he closely guided them, which, alongside family support, contributed to their significant accomplishment.