On Thursday, October 23, Dubai’s Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will honor the winners of the ninth Arab Reading Challenge.
Initiated by Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister, in 2015, this challenge encourages reading 50 books annually. Over 163 million students have participated since its launch.
Announcing the imminent crowning of this year’s victors, Sheikh Mohammed remarked: “The dedication of millions to read 50 books annually shows an unending thirst for knowledge. Reading is our path to reviving civilization, ensuring the Arabic language remains central to our identity and future.”
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In 2025, the challenge saw participation from 32 million students across 132,112 schools in 50 countries, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).
The upcoming ceremony at Dubai’s World Trade Centre will offer over Dh3 million in prizes across five categories:
1. Arab Reading Challenge 2025 Champion
National champions compete in this category. The Arab Reading Champion wins Dh500,000, with Dh100,000 and Dh70,000 for second and third places, respectively.
Competitors include representatives from Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Egypt, Palestine, Kuwait, Bahrain, Mauritania, Jordan, UAE, Lebanon, Iraq, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, and Syria.
Reem Adel Al Zarouni will represent the UAE after winning the national title.
2. People of Determination
This category awards Dh200,000 for first place, Dh100,000 for second, and Dh50,000 for third.
3. Community Champion
Totaling Dh200,000, the Community Champion category grants Dh100,000 to first place, Dh70,000 to second, and Dh30,000 to third.
4. Best School
The Best School is awarded to the institution that best executed the challenge, involved many students, and achieved high reading rates. The winner receives Dh1 million, with Dh500,000 and Dh300,000 for second and third places.
Schools from Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Mauritania, Tunisia, Libya, Syria, and the UAE will compete, with Atika bint Zaid School – 1st Cycle representing the UAE.
5. Outstanding Supervisor
This prize honors supervisors fostering reading culture, aiding students, and guiding them through reading challenges. Awards are Dh300,000 for first place, Dh100,000 for second, and Dh50,000 for third.
Last year’s winners
The previous Arab Reading Challenge drew 28.2 million students from 50 countries.
The title was shared by Hatem Mohammed Jassim Al Tarkawi (Syria), Kadi bint Musaffar Al Khathaami (Saudi Arabia), and Salsabil Hassan Sawalha (Palestine).
Mohammed Ahmed Hassan Abdul Halim from Egypt (Al-Azhar Al-Sharif) won the People of Determination category.
Al Ibdaa School – Cycle 1 (UAE) was named Best School, Rabie Ahmed (Syria) received Outstanding Supervisor, and Mohammed Al-Refaie (Sweden) was crowned Community Champion.
