Dubai: Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), emphasized the significant impact that the Arab Reading Challenge has had over the past decade, owing much to the vision and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. The initiative has positioned itself as an inspiring platform for Arab knowledge, encouraging a passion for reading and fostering a love for the Arabic language among newer generations.
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Gergawi highlighted that this support reflects Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's belief in developing a conscious Arab generation capable of building a better future. Al Gergawi spoke at a press conference held at the Dubai World Trade Centre after the crowning ceremony of the 2025 Arab Reading Challenge champions, where he discussed the Challenge's achievements and its substantial impact on Arab cultural and educational landscapes.
The press conference was attended by the 2025 Arab Reading Champions, twins Bisan and Baylasan Kouka from Tunisia, and the Outstanding Supervisor title holder, Sahar Misbah from Egypt. Al Gergawi recalled the launch of the Arab Reading Challenge in October 2015, when reading rates in the Arab world were alarmingly low, averaging just six minutes per year. The Challenge has since increased reading time outside school from less than an hour weekly to over four hours, approximately 200 hours annually.
Al Gergawi underlined the Challenge's record achievements over nine editions, noting its importance in motivating students to read and pursue excellence, viewing the title as a significant milestone in their academic and professional aspirations. He also highlighted the widespread recognition the Arab Reading Challenge has received from Arab educational institutions and the United Nations, as demonstrated by a study conducted in collaboration with UNESCO to assess its impact since 2015.
The study revealed a marked improvement in students' reading habits, with an increase in the average number of books read annually from about 8 to more than 40. It also noted enhancements in Arabic language skills, comprehension, writing vocabulary, and style, alongside a heightened sense of cultural pride and identity among participants.
Further findings showed that over 80 percent of students now read regularly, with many engaging in additional activities like story summarization and essay writing. Access to print and digital books has improved for 70 percent of participants, and the number of students reading more than 50 books annually increased by 147 percent post-participation.
The study also indicated a diversification in reading interests, with fiction, science, history, and self-development emerging as popular categories. It identified a shift toward digital reading alongside traditional print, with teachers playing a crucial role in encouraging intensive reading, followed by family and peers.
The 9th Arab Reading Challenge crowned the twins Bisan and Baylasan Kouka as 2025 Arab Reading Champions. Maria Hassan Ojail from Iraq won the People of Determination Champion title, while Atika bint Zaid School - 1st Cycle from the UAE and Tarablus Al Haddadin School from Lebanon shared the Best School award. Sahar Misbah from Egypt won the Outstanding Supervisor title, and Jehad Mohammed Murad from Italy was named Community Champion.
Since its inception, the Arab Reading Challenge has attracted over 163 million students from more than 927,000 schools and 877,000 reading supervisors, with participation growing from 3.6 million in the first edition to over 32 million in the ninth.
A milestone was reached on December 18, 2024, when the Arab League encouraged Arab education ministries to adopt the Challenge as a curricular program, acknowledging it as a prominent cultural project that bolsters Arabic as a vessel of heritage and identity. The Challenge awards AED11 million annually, totaling AED99 million since 2015, with substantial prizes for various categories.
Launched in 2015 by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Arab Reading Challenge is the largest-ever Arab literacy initiative. It aims to promote reading, enhance language skills, and instill a passion for knowledge among young Arabs, equipping them to contribute to a better future and nurturing their character and cultural values.