Emirati student Amna Mohammed Al Mansouri from Abu Dhabi has been declared the UAE Arab Reading Champion during the award ceremony held in Dubai on Friday.
Another Emirati student, Ghareeb Mohammed Al-Yamahi, won first place in the new category for People of Determination.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology.
The Arab Reading Challenge stands as the largest-ever Arab literacy initiative, initiated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The challenge aims to foster a love for reading among students, challenging them to delve into over 50 books within a single academic year. This remarkable Arabic reading competition encompasses students from Years 1 to 12 hailing from schools across the Arab world.
Beginning in September and extending until March, the competition comprises five stages, during which participants read ten books and summarize their contents in challenge passports.
As the reading and summarising phase concludes, eliminations occur among schools, education zones, and Arab countries, leading to the highly anticipated finals held annually in Dubai each October.
This seventh edition is the Largest reading event of its kind in the world, with record participation of about 24.8 million students from 46 countries around the world. The seventh edition also created new category for the people of determination.
When asked about her victory, 17-year old Amna said: “My feeling today is indescribable. Thank you to our esteemed sheikhs for all the support they’ve been giving us. This stage is an exceptional one, and Zayed’s daughter can reach the highest ranks.”
In a touching tribute, Amna dedicated her victory to her deceased grandfather for his influential role in her life. She also acknowledged her older sister, Aisha Al Mansouri, as her role model who made several achievements as a researcher, scientist, and student of political science and international relations.
Amna also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her family for their unwavering support throughout her journey. Her success did not come easy. Over the past two years, she dedicated most of her time to reading, devouring an impressive total of 131 books.
Her passion for literature, coupled with her determination to excel, propelled her to this remarkable feat. The young champion attended the School of Aisha bint Abi Bakr in Abu Dhabi, where her thirst for knowledge was nurtured.
A total of 921 schools and 514,506 students across the UAE participated in the reading challenge.
© Khaleej Times
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