Abu Dhabi student crowned UAE champion of 10th Arab Reading Challenge
Emirati student tops record 830,000 participants in UAE level reading competition
Dubai: Abu Dhabi student Dana Adel Al Zarooni was crowned the UAE champion of the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge on Thursday after outperforming more than 830,000 students who took part in the competition from schools across the country.
The 12-year-old student from Al Ittihad National Private School, Abu Dhabi, will now represent the UAE in the overall Arab Reading Challenge title.
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, honoured the winner in the presence of Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, during a ceremony held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.
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Other winners
The event honoured the top performers in the UAE qualifiers of the Arab Reading Challenge, the world’s largest project to promote reading among students, which recorded its highest-ever participation at the national level this year.
Sharjah student Hamad Mohammed bin Al Hashmi became the runner up.
Sheikh Latifa also honoured Yousef Mohammed Hamed, a visually challenged student of Al Qudwa Boys’ School, Sharjah, as the winner of the People of Determination Category.
Naima Al Amiri bagged the Outstanding Supervisor Award while Hamad bin Abdulla Circle 3 Boys School, Fujairah was awarded as the Best School.
Senior officials, educators, representatives of the Arab Reading Challenge initiative, and prominent figures from the education and knowledge sectors attended the ceremony, alongside students, teachers and parents of finalists.
The 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge achieved unprecedented participation globally, attracting 40,286,428 students from 60 countries. Participants represented 138,426 schools and were supported by 161,507 supervisors.
Young reader with a big dream
Speaking to Gulf News later, Dana Adel Al Zarooni, said winning the 10th UAE Arab Reading Challenge is only the beginning of her journey.
A participant for three consecutive years, Dana completed the challenge requirement of 50 books and far exceeded it through her personal reading. She said has read more than 200 books in the past year
“I feel proud and happy because after years of trying and reading, I finally won. The Arabic language is our identity, and we must show how it shines among the languages of the world.”
Raising the UAE’s name
Dana’s favourite books are novels, particularly stories that reflect real human experiences and emotions. She believes reading helps young people build confidence, pursue ambitious dreams and better understand life through the experiences of others.
“Books are the first step towards your dreams. Reading helps children become more confident and gives them a wider vision of what they can achieve.”
Dana hopes to continue making the UAE proud and dreams of becoming an author. “Reading has not only shaped me as a reader, but also as a writer. I want to write stories of my own in the future,” she said.
Dana comes from a large family with eight siblings, who have supported her throughout her reading journey.
Largest reading initiative
Launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Arab Reading Challenge is one of the flagship initiatives under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).
Launched during the 2015-2016 academic year, the Arab Reading Challenge has grown into the world's largest Arabic-language reading initiative.
The initiative seeks to promote a culture of reading among students across the Arab world and beyond, strengthen creative thinking skills and inspire lifelong learning. It also aims to reinforce the status of the Arabic language as a language of science, literature and knowledge, while encouraging younger generations to use Arabic in their daily lives.
The challenge further promotes openness to other cultures and supports the values of tolerance, coexistence and acceptance, while empowering young people to develop their capabilities and realise their full potential.
The 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge has achieved unprecedented global participation, attracting 40,286,428 students from 60 countries representing 138,426 schools and supported by 161,507 supervisors.
