UAE | Education

Minister drums up support for million-book campaign

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, on Friday returned to his former school to encourage students to participate in the Million Book Challenge.

  • WAM
  • Published: 23:21 November 14, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi reads a book to students of Al Aqsa School for Boys, as part of the Dubai Cares campaign.
  • Image Credit: Supplied picture

Dubai: Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, on Friday returned to his former school to encourage students to participate in the Million Book Challenge.

As part of the Dubai Cares initiative, Al Gergawi joined teachers and students at Al Aqsa School for Boys in the Al Rashidiyah area to read a book and encourage students to keep reading so they can reach the one million-book mark by November 16.

Since the start of the challenge, on November 2, 2008, children have read a total of 903,798 books.

Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Chairperson of Dubai Cares Board of Directors, said: "With only a few days to go in the million book challenge, we are well on the way of reaching the one million book mark.

"This is a significant accomplishment on the part of the students, parents and prominent community members - this is definitely a collective effort and speaks to the strength of our community to take on any challenge," she added.

Al Gergawi read the 'Story of Paper' and engaged students throughout the story, asking them questions and continuously reminding them of the power of reading and knowledge.

"It is through reading and acquiring knowledge of the world around you that you can reach your goals and realise the vision you have for it," said Al Gergawi. "The greatest contribution you can make is to use your knowledge for the best interest of your country. Never forget the importance of reading and never underestimate its influence in shaping the world."

The million book challenge invites all students aged 3-14 years to collectively read 1,000,000 books in two weeks. For each book read, Dubai Cares will purchase and donate a book in the local language to needy children around the world.

The distribution of books will be managed by organisations, including Arab NGOs throughout the region.

Stacked atop one another, one million books is, conservatively, four kilometres high, which is five times the height of Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world.

Each evening, Dubai Cares beams the total number of books read on Burj Dubai, which is being used as a visual thermometer, to mark the campaign's progress towards its goal.

Residents and visitors in the UAE can also contribute to strengthening literacy around the world by sponsoring a book for Dh10 each by calling 800-DXB-CARES or at participating bookstores.

Considered the largest charitable establishment solely devoted to improving primary education around the world, Dubai Cares is actively addressing the educational needs of more than four million children worldwide through international partnerships.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from UAE Education

  1. Universities celebrate UAE National Day

  2. Brothers' triple success

  3. Reviving age-old craftsmanship

  4. Youth reconnect with history

All articles in Education

More from UAE

Gulf News
Popular in UAE
Readers' pictures
Your pictures

Readers' pictures

A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week

Latest news
Community Reports

More from Community Reports

Weather

More from Weather