Adam Elroudani has been crowned the champion of the Arab Reading Challenge for its ninth season in Morocco, competing among 4,342,048 students from 14,197 schools, under the guidance of 20,200 reading supervisors.
The award ceremony took place in Rabat, attended by the Minister of National Education, Preschool Education, and Sports, Mr. Mohamed Saad Berrada, along with Dr. Fawzan Al-Khalidi, Director of Programs and Initiatives at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation. The event also included numerous officials, educators, and parents of participating students.
During the event, Saadia Azadou from Casablanca was recognized as the “Outstanding Supervisor,” while Fatima Al-Andalusia School of Ksar Al-Kabir was awarded the title of “Outstanding School.”
In the category for students with special needs, the first place was awarded to Wiam Shouk from the eighth grade at Al-Khemisset Intermediate School in the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region, following competition among 579 students.
The final round of the ninth season witnessed ten finalists, including champion Adam Elroudani, along with: Ahlam Karimi from the eighth grade at Ibn Yasin School, Rafiq Zwaimi from the twelfth grade at Delegated Management School (Marrakech-Safi), Nassiba Ailal from the ninth grade at Abdul Wahid Al-Marakchi School (Beni Mellal-Khenifra), Mohamed Ben Chaib from the fifth grade at Salahuddin School (Fes-Meknes), Wiam Qatb from the eleventh grade at Olive Oasis School (Marrakech-Safi), Hajar Bahaui from the seventh grade at Timoulait School (Guelmim-Oued Noun), Shaimaa Boulebn from the tenth grade at Aisha Umm al-Mu’minin School (Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima), Aisha Bouderi from the sixth grade at Aisha Takmnt School (Beni Mellal-Khenifra), and Mariam Arrouk from the eleventh grade at Imam Malik School (Dakhla-Oued Eddahab).
Minister Mohamed Saad Berrada stated: “The Ministry of National Education, Preschool Education, and Sports is dedicated to promoting the reading habit among students across the country, encouraging them each year to participate in the Arab Reading Challenge, which has become a significant platform for instilling a reading culture and fostering a spirit of knowledge among students. This aligns with our vision of preparing a cultured generation capable of effectively contributing to the nation’s advancement.”
He further expressed, “We witness today the fruits of extensive efforts put forth by our dear students, supported by their families and teachers, who have demonstrated that reading is not merely a hobby but a means to elevate oneself, shape personality, and broaden intellectual horizons.”
Minister Berrada extended his congratulations to the winners, their families, the educational community, and all participants in the competition, thanking those who played a role in the success of the ninth season of the Arab Reading Challenge in Morocco.
For his part, Dr. Fawzan Al-Khalidi remarked: “The Arab Reading Challenge has established itself as a pivotal initiative in the Arab cultural landscape. Since its launch in 2015, it has opened new horizons for students, making significant contributions to enhancing the status of the Arabic language. The ninth edition achieved unprecedented success in terms of participant numbers, geographic expansion, and the remarkable levels demonstrated by competitors during the finals, reaffirming the strong message of this initiative and the considerable interaction it receives from those concerned with cultural and intellectual matters.”
Dr. Al-Khalidi added: “I congratulate the champions of the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge in our beloved Morocco, as well as their families, schools, and teachers, and I thank everyone who contributed to achieving this new milestone. It is evident that the success of the finals in Morocco resulted from the tremendous efforts of the Ministry of National Education, Preschool Education, and Sports, and its close collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation.”
The ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, witnessed a record participation of 32,231,000 students from 50 countries representing 132,112 schools, with oversight from 161,004 supervisors.
Launched in the 2015-2016 academic year under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, the Arab Reading Challenge aims to reinforce the culture of reading in Arabic, encouraging younger generations to incorporate reading into their daily lives, enhancing comprehension and expression in Arabic, developing creative thinking skills, and generating a comprehensive reading and knowledge movement.
Moreover, the challenge seeks to build a value system for emerging generations by introducing them to the values, customs, and beliefs of other cultures, thereby solidifying principles of tolerance, coexistence, and acceptance of diversity.