DUBAI — His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has praised the participation of more than 830,000 students from across the UAE in the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge.
Sheikh Mohammed also congratulated Danah Adel Al Zarouni, a Grade 6 student at Al Ittihad National Private School (Khalifa A, Abu Dhabi), on being named UAE champion of the competition.
He said he was proud of the students who took part in the challenge this year, praising their reading skills, love of knowledge and attachment to books, and said reading is the foundation of development, progress and innovation.
Sheikh Mohammed added that Danah would now represent the UAE alongside participants from 60 countries in the challenge, which involved 40 million students during the current academic year.
Danah was crowned UAE Reading Champion at a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City, in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
During the ceremony, Sheikha Latifa honoured Danah, the national runner-up and the winners in the People of Determination category.
She said the UAE, under the guidance of its leadership, continues to promote reading as a core part of society and a key pillar of human development and knowledge advancement.
Sheikha Latifa added that the Arab Reading Challenge is the largest knowledge initiative of its kind in the Arab world and a national milestone that has helped deepen students’ knowledge, build awareness and strengthen their connection to language, identity and culture.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials, educators, students and families.- With inputs from WAM
