Dubai: Palestinian Mahmoud Taneera, 11, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder, was among the 15 outstanding students honoured by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for their participation in the Arab Reading Challenge.
Taneera, who is a grade two student at Al Nassar International School in Sharjah, took part in the competition, completing 25 books — the requirement for participants with disabilities.
Gulf News talked to his mother, Hala Taneera, at the awards ceremony held at the Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men’s college, about his experience and achievements.
“When I heard about the challenge, I thought to myself, ‘Taneera has to join the competition’. I visited a book fair and selected books that match his level, and began reading to him while signing the words as I went along. He answered all my questions about the characters, authors and pictures in each story through writing,” said Hala.
She explained that while both her sons suffer from an unnamed genetic condition that weakens their muscles, their cases are being researched in the Netherlands. “His mental capabilities are great, and even though he can’t speak fluently, he expresses himself in his own way through single words and through writing. It is very easy to communicate with Taneera,” she added.
Joining school at the age of 10 after a long search for an institution that would accept his rare condition, Taneera has come a long way and has improved significantly in developing writing skills and vocabulary, said Hala.
“I believe in his talents and I am so happy that he was honoured by Shaikh Mohammad himself, who gave him a signed certificate,” added Hala.
