Sheikh Mohammed Honours Arab Reading Challenge Winners

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, reaffirmed that reading is the real key to human progress and the foundation of community development, well-being, and prosperity. He stated that those who stop learning fall behind in the race for leadership and innovation. His remarks came during the closing ceremony of the 9th Arab Reading Challenge, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

During the event, Sheikh Mohammed crowned Tunisian twins Bisan and Baylasan Kouka as the 2025 Arab Reading Champions. The pair emerged as winners among over 32 million students from 132,112 schools across 50 countries, all guided by more than 161,000 supervisors. The twins received a grand prize of AED500,000 for their outstanding achievement. Their victory represents dedication, intelligence, and a strong love for the Arabic language and literature.

In the competition, Mohammed Jassim Ibrahim from Bahrain won second place and received AED100,000, while Mariam Mohammed Shamekh from Mauritania secured third place and was awarded AED70,000. Sheikh Mohammed also honoured Egypt’s Sahar Misbah as the ‘Outstanding Supervisor’, recognizing her contribution to nurturing reading habits among students. The supervisor category also included winners from Palestine, the UAE, Tunisia, Libya, and Syria.

The ceremony honoured winners across several categories, including ‘Best School’, ‘Community Champion’, and ‘People of Determination Champion’. These awards celebrated schools, teachers, and students who have worked tirelessly to promote reading in Arabic and to help young people build a lifelong passion for learning. Sheikh Mohammed said this generation represents the hope of the Arab world, drawing inspiration from its proud history and embracing the future with confidence.

The closing ceremony was attended by several high-ranking UAE leaders, including H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates Airline and Group; and H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. Their presence reflected the UAE’s national commitment to education, language, and knowledge-driven development.

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed awarded the title of ‘Best School’ to Atika bint Zaid School – 1st Cycle from the UAE and Tarablus Al Haddadin School from Lebanon, each receiving AED500,000. Ibn Khaldoun Primary School – Al Nafal from Saudi Arabia won second place and also received AED500,000. Country-level winning schools came from across the Arab world, including Morocco, Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed honoured Maria Hassan Ojail from Iraq with the 2025 ‘People of Determination Champion’ title and a prize of AED200,000. Egypt’s Basmala Salahuddin Suleiman and Lebanon’s Thulfiqar Ali Sabra took second and third place. This special category encourages inclusion and gives every student, regardless of ability, an opportunity to shine through reading and knowledge.

The ‘Community Champion’ award went to Jehad Mohammed Murad from Italy, who received AED100,000. The category, introduced in 2017, allows students from Arab communities abroad and non-Arabs learning Arabic to participate. The competition saw finalists from countries including the USA, Australia, China, Brazil, and Germany, reflecting the global reach of Arabic culture and education.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), said the Challenge reflects Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to make reading the foundation of civilisation, tolerance, and awareness. He highlighted that more than 163 million students have participated across nine editions since 2015, demonstrating the initiative’s wide impact and deep cultural value.

To make books more accessible, MBRGI signed an MoU with the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Charity Foundation in 2024 to establish the Arab Reading Challenge Digital Library, supported by an AED4 million contribution. This platform will help digitise books, expand Arabic content online, and encourage students to continue reading anytime and anywhere.

The Arab Reading Challenge has grown from 3.6 million participants in its first edition to more than 32 million in 2025—an increase of nearly 800%. It has gained support from the League of Arab States, which has called on education ministries to include the challenge in school programs. The initiative continues to build a future where the Arabic language remains strong, expressive, and central to the Arab world’s identity.

Launched in 2015, the Arab Reading Challenge continues to inspire millions of young Arabs to embrace reading as a way of life. It teaches discipline, critical thinking, and cultural understanding. Sheikh Mohammed’s vision ensures that reading remains a cornerstone of progress, shaping a generation ready to lead with knowledge, compassion, and creativity.