Dubai ruler crowns Arab Reading Challenge champion
Moroccan student Maryam Amjoun wins the AED500k first prize in the Arab Reading Challenge
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday crowned Maryam Amjoun, a student from Morocco, as champion of the third edition of the Arab Reading Challenge.
She was honoured at a special ceremony at Dubai Opera where Sheikh Mohammed presented her with the cash prize of AED500,000.
Al-Ikhlas School from Kuwait received the Outstanding School award and a cash prize of AED1 million to develop its educational capacities.
Aisha al-Tuwairqi from Saudi Arabia won the Outstanding Supervisor title and a cash prize of AED300,000 in recognition of her efforts as an inspirational teacher. Tasneem Eidi from France was named Outstanding Student from Arab Communities Residing in Non-Arab Countries and walked away with AED100,000.
The 2018 edition of the largest Arab literacy initiative in the world drew the participation of 10.5 million students from the Arab region and worldwide.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “A river starts with many drops, and the participants of the Arab Reading Challenge are the first drops in the river of knowledge that we look forward to discovering in every corner of the Arab world and beyond. We rely on the reading champions to help us build a knowledge-based future for the region.”
He added: “The finalists of the competition have become role models for millions of Arab students in their keen interest in acquiring knowledge and their determination to succeed. Every book read by the contestants serves as a gateway to communicate with the people of the world.”
Stressing the importance of reading, he said: “Books are the source of ideas and values for the next generations. A generation that reads is a promising one, and a nation that reads is one that invests in the future. Reading creates global citizens who care deeply about making the world a better place.”
Amjoun impressed the audience with her confident interaction with the jury and her profound knowledge, manifested in her eloquent expression, a statement said.
Five students qualified for the final round in the two-day semi-finals, held in Dubai with the participation of 16 competitors from the Arab world and Arab communities residing in non-Arab countries.
0 comments