Dubai: The winners of the 7th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge will be unveiled at Dubai Opera on October 31. The prestigious event will witness His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, bestowing honors upon the Arab Reading Champion and the newly introduced ‘People of Determination’ category winner.
In addition to these notable recognitions, the awards for “Best School,” “Outstanding Supervisor,” and “Community Champion” will also be announced during the ceremony. 
The arrival of delegations from 46 countries in Dubai marks the commencement of the event. The Arab Reading Challenge organizers warmly welcomed 500 individuals at Dubai International Airport. Among the arrivals were the semifinalists vying for the title of Arab Reading Champion and Community Champion, as well as the top 10 students from each Arab country, along with their supervisors and parents. A special entry stamp featuring the Arab Reading Challenge logo greeted participants at the airport to commemorate the occasion.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), emphasized the positive impact of the Arab Reading Challenge on the region’s cultural landscape. Launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2015, the challenge has successfully instilled a continuous passion for reading across the Arab world. This aligns with the vision of nurturing an enlightened generation capable of driving progress.
Over seven years, the Arab Reading Challenge has grown to become the largest initiative of its kind in the Arab world, rekindling a love for reading in Arabic and showcasing the richness of the language.
The challenge’s success can be seen in the millions of students who have become dedicated readers, with numerous educational and cultural institutions providing an ideal environment for students to thrive.
The Arab Reading Champion, selected from 24.8 million participants, will receive a prize of Dh500,000 to support their academic pursuits and knowledge expansion.
For the first time, the ‘People of Determination’ category will crown a winner from 22,506 participants, who will be awarded AED 200,000. This addition is aimed at enhancing the inclusion of individuals with determination in the Arab cultural landscape.
Out of 188,338 participants, three schools have made it to the finals, with the “Best School” set to be announced on October 31, winning a Dh1 million prize to further encourage reading among students. 
The “Outstanding Supervisor,” selected from 149,826 participants, will be awarded AED 300,000 for their efforts in promoting daily reading among children.
The Community Champion, chosen from Arab students residing in 26 foreign countries, will receive a Dh100,000 prize.
The 7th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge for 2023 witnessed an 11 percent increase in participation compared to the previous year. Over 24.8 million students from 46 countries, including more than 22,506 people of determination, participated in this year’s challenge. This initiative was guided by around 150,000 supervisors in over 188,000 schools.
The Arab Reading Challenge was launched in September 2015, becoming the largest pan-Arab project. Its objective is to encourage one million students in the Arab region to collectively read at least 50 million books annually. Organized by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the challenge promotes knowledge and self-learning skills while fostering the values of tolerance, coexistence, and acceptance of differences through reading.