Dubai: Dubai Customs has embarked on an ambitious campaign to distribute 10,000 books as part of its Dubai Reads initiative.

The campaign, which will run till the end of this year, will cover schools, universities and public areas. The books will be distributed in bags of four books each.

The reading drive is being conducted in partnership with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.

According to Ahmad Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs, the campaign supports the UAE leadership’s vision for 2016 to be the Year of Reading, and follows their directives for all government sectors and community actors to contribute to nurturing a culture of reading in society.

He said that the Dubai Reads initiative seeks to create a reading generation capable of leading the UAE towards a knowledge economy and secure a brighter future.

“Reading is the basis of evolution of human innovation and intellectual communication among nations and peoples, and it is also the basic building block for success at both the professional and personal levels,” said Musabih.

He pointed out that Dubai Reads initiative, which aims to promote the culture and the habit of reading in the society, also supports the UAE’s transformation to knowledge economy.

“The initiative is a continuation to Dubai Custom’s many initiatives that keep pace with the wise leadership’s directives to produce knowledgeable generations,” said Musabih.

He added that a book is a good guide for young people seeking innovation and excellence, since reading expands perceptions and produces creative ideas that serve humanity and improve the reader’s personal and career lives.