A Decade of Words: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Celebrates the Arab Reading Challenge’s Remarkable Evolution

As the 10th edition of the world's largest reading competition draws to a close, a transformative journey spanning over 203 million student participations comes into view, cementing the Arab Reading Challenge's profound impact on literacy and cultural understanding across the region.

Tomorrow at Dubai World Trade Centre, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will preside over the closing ceremony of the 10th Arab Reading Challenge, a milestone moment that reflects a decade of steadfast commitment to nurturing a culture of reading and intellectual curiosity across the Arab world.

The scale of this year’s competition offers a striking measure of its reach and resonance. A record 40.286 million students from 60 countries have participated, among them 74,062 People of Determination, representing a 24 per cent increase from the previous edition. Across 138,426 schools and under the guidance of 161,507 supervisors, the challenge has woven itself into educational life on a scale that speaks to both its relevance and its welcoming spirit.

The ceremony will recognise champions across multiple categories: the Arab Reading Challenge victor, winners in the People of Determination and community divisions, as well as Outstanding School and Outstanding Supervisor accolades. The overall champion will receive AED500,000, with AED100,000 and AED70,000 for second and third place respectively. The People of Determination category offers AED200,000 to the winner, followed by AED100,000 and AED50,000, whilst the community category provides AED100,000, AED70,000 and AED30,000. The Outstanding School will receive AED1 million, with AED500,000 and AED300,000 for runners-up, and the Outstanding Supervisor AED300,000, AED100,000 and AED50,000 across the top three positions.

Since its establishment by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in 2015, the initiative has channelled AED11 million in annual prizes, accumulating to AED110 million across ten editions. The growth trajectory proves remarkable: from 3.6 million participants in the inaugural year to more than 40.28 million today, participation has soared by approximately 1,019 per cent. The ninth edition drew 32.231 million students from 50 countries, whilst the eighth and seventh editions recorded 28.2 million and 24.8 million participants respectively.

The challenge itself transcends competition, functioning instead as a cultural movement designed to strengthen Arabic language proficiency, cultivate enthusiasm for knowledge and encourage the younger generation to embrace reading as a pathway to understanding. As the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library’s participation in AccessAbilities Expo demonstrates, the initiative extends to those with diverse learning needs, with extensive Braille collections and assistive technologies ensuring that the joy of reading remains accessible to all.

With more than 203 million cumulative student participations and over 1.065 million school participations recorded since inception, the Arab Reading Challenge has positioned itself as the world’s largest reading competition and initiative, a distinction that reflects both its scale and its profound influence on educational practice across the region and beyond.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The Arab Reading Challenge’s extraordinary growth underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering intellectual development and cultural enrichment among younger generations across the Arab world. Through its inclusive framework, which welcomes students of all abilities and backgrounds, the initiative reflects the nation’s values of accessibility and educational excellence, establishing reading not merely as an academic pursuit but as a cornerstone of informed citizenship and cultural identity.

For Abu Dhabi and the wider emirates, the challenge represents a tangible investment in the intellectual capital of the region. By channelling AED110 million in prizes over a decade and engaging millions of students, educators and supervisors annually, the initiative strengthens the knowledge economy whilst reinforcing Arabic language and heritage. This commitment to nurturing lifelong readers and passionate learners builds the foundation for a society where knowledge, cultural understanding and intellectual curiosity drive progress and prosperity.

Source: WAM