Young Egyptian reader in Arab Reading Challenge plans to donate prize to the poor

A nine-year-old Egyptian boy living in Australia says he will give his prize money to those in need if he wins the Arab Reading Challenge in Dubai this week.

Omar, a first-time participant in the competition, took up reading only eight months ago. His main goal in entering, he explained, was to become a better reader. “If I win, I will give the money to the poor,” he said.

The final judging of the community category, which includes students living outside Arab countries as well as Arabic-language learners and non-native speakers, is underway at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Dubai. The winner of that category will be announced at the closing ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Thursday, October 29, and will receive Dh100,000.

New knowledge, new friends

Omar said the appeal of reading is simple: “It teaches me new things I did not know before.” He prefers factual books over purely imaginary stories and entered the challenge “to improve my reading.”

The competition has also brought an unexpected friendship. He met another participant from Canada who shares his name, and the two have become close. Alongside his wish to help others, he added: “Perhaps my father will buy me the biggest collection of games in the world.”

‘Even if I don’t win, I am still a winner’

For Niyal Almaliki, a 10-year-old participant born and raised in Finland, reaching Dubai is already an achievement. She began reading at the age of two and a half and placed first in the challenge’s Finnish competition. Her favourite genres are mystery and suspense, and she enjoys trying books without pictures and exploring books intended for older readers.

Winning the final title, she said, is not the only measure of success. “Even if I don’t win, I am still a winner, because I have already won first place in Finland,” she said. She has also made friends through the competition, including the students who finished second and third in Finland.

‘Every reader is a winner’

Manisa Bilal Abu Mahmoud, 16, is competing after improving on last year’s result. “This is my second participation. Last year, I came second in Lebanon, but I persevered, and this year I came first,” the Grade 12 student said.

A reader since the age of six, Manisa enjoys philosophy, particularly Al-Ghazali’s Deliverance from Error. “Language is our identity, through which we express ourselves,” she said. Her aim is to represent Lebanon well, and meeting readers of different ages has reinforced her sense of belonging. “What I liked most about the Arab Reading Challenge is that I am not alone,” she said.

She said this would be her final participation because she is in Grade 12, but she intends to keep reading and encourage her peers and younger students to do the same. Her advice to future participants: “Do not give up. Persevere and read, because every reader is a winner.”

Winners to be crowned on Thursday

This year’s Arab Reading Challenge has recorded its largest participation to date, with more than 40 million students from 60 countries taking part in the qualifying rounds — a 24 per cent increase on the previous edition. The tenth edition also involved 138,426 schools and 161,507 supervisors.

Organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the challenge was launched in 2015 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It encourages students to read and summarise 50 books a year, strengthening their Arabic-language skills and developing their understanding, critical thinking and ability to express themselves.

The winners will be crowned on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, at a closing ceremony held under Sheikh Mohammed’s patronage and in his presence. Alongside the overall champion, the ceremony will honour the winners in the community and people of determination categories, as well as the outstanding school and supervisor. The overall champion will receive Dh500,000, while the winner in the people of determination category will receive Dh200,000. The outstanding school will be awarded Dh1 million, and the outstanding supervisor Dh300,000.