A 10 year old girl in Dubai has been declared as the UAE’s most avid reader, beating more than 450,000 participants in the UAE Arab Reading Challenge. Mezna Najeeb, a grade 5 student of Al Ebdaa Model School was chosen amongst the top 10 finalists across the Emirate’s education institutes. She had surpassed her target of reading 50 books and ended up reading 100 in a year. Mezna will be representing the country internationally in the semifinals along with the winners from various countries.
Winner of UAE Arab Reading ChallengeThe fifth grader Mezna Najeeb from Al Ebdaa Model School outperformed 455,000 participating students from 1,412 public and private schools. Inspired to be a writer, Mezna had been reading books and stories related to literature and fiction. ‘Mimi and the Reading Challenge’ was written by the little girl for the Challenge. Earlier, she had previously published her stories in a local magazine too. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated the budding champion on becoming the ARC winner of the UAE. He had expressed his optimistic thoughts for Mezna and her fellow Arab students.
مبروك مزنة نجيب … ابنتي .. التي فازت بتحدي القراءة العربي في دولة الامارات من بين ٤٥٥ ألف طالب شاركوا من اكثر من ١٤٠٠ مدرسة من التعليم الحكومي والخاص بالدولة … بك يا مزنة وأمثالك من الطلاب العرب نتفاءل بأن القادم أجمل pic.twitter.com/L9PDUGqihf
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) July 10, 2019
UAE Arab Reading Challenge (ARC)
Launched in 2015 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Arab Reading Challenge (ARC) encourages the young generation to take up reading. It endorses the feeling of belonging to one Arab civilization united by their Arabic language and values. Perhaps, the initiative focuses to keep the Arabic language alive in reading, writing and publishing across the Arab world. Since its launch, there has been a sharp increase of participating students in the UAE. In 2015, it attracted over 157,000 students in the UAE. Three years later, the challenge recorded over 50 per cent increase in participation with over 455,000 students. Throughout the years, the ARC has emerged as the most successful Arab project with excellence.
https://www.facebook.com/arabreading/videos/249974385924551/
The competition was held at the Dubai Men’s College. After the winner was declared, prizes worth AED400,000 were given out to the distinguished participating students. Wedad Mohammed Al Shehhi of the Ministry of Education took away the Outstanding Supervisor Award, while Al Rams Primary School in Ras Al Khaimah bagged the UAE’s Best School Award in results.
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum promotes Arab Reading ChallengeTop 10 UAE Finalists
- Mezna Najeeb (Grade 5 at Al Ebdaa Model School, Dubai)
- Hend Fahad Al Nahdi (Grade 11 at Al Dhait Secondary School for Girls, Ras Al Khaimah)
- Hamdan Jamal (Grade 11 at RAK Modern Private School)
- Mona Sooud (Grade 9 at Al Mairid School, Ras Al Khaimah)
- Abdullah Roshdi (Grade 7 at Al Falahiya School, Abu Dhabi)
- Ohoud Adel (Grade 10 at Dibba Fujairah Secondary School)
- Sabah Naji (Grade 11 at Al Dhait Secondary School for Girls, Ras Al Khaimah)
- Mohammed Al Ketbi (Grade 9 at Al Dhaid Secondary School for Boys, Sharjah)