Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge is set to conclude with a ceremony on October 29, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event will recognize top participants from across the Arab world, including categories for People of Determination, schools, supervisors, and communities.

Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed the UAE’s dedication to promoting the Arabic language and fostering a culture of reading among younger generations. He emphasized that the nation’s future relies on nurturing informed and thoughtful youth, describing investment in reading as an investment in long-term progress. He also highlighted the historical significance of the Arabic language as a driver of social and intellectual advancement, expressing confidence that it will regain prominence through the efforts of today’s youth.

This year’s Arab Reading Challenge, organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), attracted a record participation of over 40 million students from 60 countries. The figure represents a 24 percent increase from the previous edition and accounts for nearly half of the school students in the Arab region. Among the participants, more than 74,000 students competed under the People of Determination category. The challenge also involved 138,426 schools and 161,307 supervisors.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of MBRGI, described the competition as an embodiment of Sheikh Mohammed's vision to cultivate knowledgeable and open-minded generations. He noted that the initiative aims to deepen appreciation for Arabic, encourage exploration of global literature and cultures, and enable participants to develop independent thinking and self-awareness to support their personal and professional growth.

At the closing ceremony, a series of cash prizes will be awarded. The overall Arab Reading Challenge Champion will receive 500,000 dirhams, with second and third place winners awarded 100,000 and 70,000 dirhams, respectively. The People of Determination category, introduced during the seventh edition, requires participants to read 25 books and offers top prizes of 200,000, 100,000, and 50,000 dirhams for the top three winners. Additionally, the Community Champion category, open to students outside the Arab world as well as non-native or second-language Arabic speakers, will distribute a total of 200,000 dirhams in prize money.

The Arab Reading Challenge continues to serve as a major platform for promoting literacy and the Arabic language, reflecting broader efforts in the region to enhance education and cultural engagement among youth.