Reading is the Foundation of Development, Progress, and Innovation: Danah Adel Al Zarouni Wins 10th Arab Reading Challenge National Title

Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, expressed pride in the participation of over 830,000 students from across the UAE in the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge. The event culminated in a ceremony where Danah Adel Al Zarouni, a Grade 6 student at Al Ittihad National Private School in Abu Dhabi, was honored as the UAE Champion.

Sheikh Mohammed congratulated Al Zarouni on her achievement, emphasizing the importance of reading in shaping civilizations. He stated, “I am proud of their reading skills, their passion for knowledge, and their attachment to books. Reading is the foundation of development, progress, and innovation.” Al Zarouni will now represent the UAE in the international challenge, competing against participants from 60 countries.

Ceremony Highlights

The award ceremony took place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City, organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, presented the awards.

During the event, Sheikha Latifa honored not only Al Zarouni but also the second-place winner and participants from the People of Determination category. She emphasized the UAE’s commitment to fostering a culture of reading as a fundamental pillar for human development and knowledge advancement.

Extensive Participation

Sheikha Latifa expressed pride in the extensive participation of UAE students, highlighting the collaborative efforts of school administrations, teachers, and supervisors. She stated, “We congratulate Danah Adel Al Zarouni on winning the title of UAE Reading Champion in the Arab Reading Challenge, and we extend our congratulations to all winners and participants.”

The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, and His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture. They recognized the efforts of educational institutions and the community in promoting a culture of reading.

Intense Competition

Danah Adel Al Zarouni emerged victorious in a highly competitive environment, with over 830,000 students from 1,250 schools participating under the supervision of 2,120 educators. The event also recognized Yousef Mohammed Saeed Hamed, an eighth-grade student from Al Qudwah School in Sharjah, who won first place in the People of Determination category.

The ceremony honored additional top performers, including Nada Saud Abdulaziz and Omar Ali Rashid Al Ketbi, who secured second and third places, respectively. Naima Al Amiri was named the ‘Outstanding Supervisor’, while Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi School in Fujairah was recognized as the ‘Best School’.

Title Race

Ten finalists reached the national-level qualifications, including:

• Hamad Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hashemi (Grade 12, Al Mahmoud School, Sharjah)
• Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan (Grade 1, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Awal School, Abu Dhabi)
• Sarah Waleed Al Mansoori (Grade 10, Zayed Educational Complex, Ras Al Khaimah)
• Issa Abdullah Al Mazemi (Grade 8, Zayed Educational Complex, Sharjah)
• Aisha Abdullah Saif Mohammed Al Humaidi (Grade 11, Umm Al Momineen School, Fujairah)
• Salem Abdullah Salem Al Hammadi (Grade 4, Al Marfa School, Al Dhafra)
• Mohammed Manaa Mohammed Ahmed Al Najjar (Grade 5, Zayed Educational Complex, Dubai)
• Asya Awadh Al Siyabi (Grade 10, Al Hosoon Charter School, Al Ain)
• Humaid Saeed Saleh Al Zaabi (Grade 6, Al Qudwah School, Sharjah)

Significant Increase in Participation

The 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge achieved a remarkable milestone, with participation reaching 40,286,428 students from 60 countries, including 74,062 from the People of Determination category. This represents a 24% increase compared to the previous edition, which had 32.231 million participants from 50 countries.

The initiative also saw the involvement of 138,426 schools and 161,507 supervisors, reinforcing its status as a leading educational program in the region.

Lasting Impact

Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri noted that the Arab Reading Challenge has established reading as a defining cultural practice over the past decade. She emphasized that the initiative has become a model for human capital investment, rooted in the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Al Amiri stated, “The record-breaking participation of UAE students reflects the success of our national vision to make reading an integral part of the educational journey.” She highlighted the collaboration among educational and cultural institutions to empower future generations.

Rigorous Criteria

Danah Al Zarouni will carry the UAE’s aspirations into the 2026 Arab Reading Challenge. The competition involves multiple qualifying rounds, where champions must read and summarize 50 books, demonstrating a deep understanding of key themes. The qualification process progresses through individual grade levels, schools, and educational zones, culminating in the selection of national champions.

Specialized committees work alongside the Arab Reading Challenge panels to select winners, ensuring a fair and rigorous assessment process.

UAE’s Notable Presence

The UAE has consistently excelled in the Arab Reading Challenge, achieving top positions across various categories. Notably, Amnah Mohammad Al Mansoori won the 7th Arab Reading Challenge title in 2023, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to promoting literacy.

The UAE’s schools have also been recognized for their outstanding contributions, with several institutions winning the ‘Best School’ title in previous editions.

Fostering a Passion for Knowledge

Launched in 2015 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Arab Reading Challenge aims to promote reading among students across the Arab world. It seeks to strengthen language skills and nurture a love for reading, equipping young Arabs with the tools to create a better future.

The initiative also aims to expose youth to diverse cultures, promoting tolerance and coexistence.

As reported by www.emirates247.com.

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Published on 2026-07-09 17:46:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk