Aisha Badia Crowned Winner of Arab Reading Challenge in Bahrain.

Arab Reading Challenge (ARC) participants were honoured at a ceremony held under the patronage of the Minister of Education His Excellency Dr. Majed bin Ali Al Nuaimi and ARC Secretary General Najla Al Shamsi at the Ministry of Education in Isa Town.

His Excellency honoured Aisha Badia Mohammed, the Bahrain ARC champion who is in the 3rd grade at Umm Ayman Primary School, Ms. Muna Al Sheikh Yusuf Al-Sadiqi and Ms. Nouriya Ali Al Hayaki, the winners of the distinguished supervisors award, and the winner of the best school Al-Iman Private School for Girls.

His Excellency stated, “We are pleased with the level of interest displayed by Bahraini students in the second round of the Arab Reading Challenge. The challenge is a major Arab project that serves to advance the knowledge of the youngest generations in our region, and is in line with Bahrain’s goals to build a future empowered by knowledgeable citizens. ”

He continued, “In the first round of the challenge last year, Bahrain achieved remarkable results. Our student Wala’ Al Baqali from Jad Hafs Girls Secondary School won third place in the entire region, and our school Al-Iman Private School for Girls was among the top three best schools in the region as well. We wish all the participants success this year as well.”

ARC Secretary General Najla Al Shamsi said, “We are very pleased with the size and level of participation in Bahrain, and we commend the supervisors and parents whose efforts were an integral part of the challenge’s success. We saw many outstanding students at the final stages of the competition in Bahrain, which made it difficult for the jury to choose one winner. The future of the country looks bright where the next generation of young citizens, who love to read, are armed with knowledge as they build the foundations of their future.”

His Excellency also honoured all ten student finalists, Janan Nabil Hassan Al-Ajimi (12th grade at Khawla Secondary School for Girls), Murtada Ali Hussein Deef (12th grade at Sheikh Issa Bin Ali Secondary School), Aseel Allam Al-Hanbali (12th grade at Al-Iman Private School), Shawq Mashaal Juma (7th grade at Yathrab Preparatory School for Girls), Ashely Mohammed Mustafa (2nd grade at Umm Ayman Primary School), and Manar Faisal Issa (12th grade at Al Shurouq Secondary School), Hiba Hamza Abdilhussein (3rd grade at Karana Primary School), Fatima Jassem (5th grade at Um Al Qura School), and tied in tenth place, Mohammed Hassan Al Uwainati (10th grade at the Religious Institute) and Zaynab Ibrahim Al Mu’min (6th grade at Al Qadisiya Primary School for Girls). 

Over 24,268 students from various grades made it to the second phase of the Arab Reading Challenge; two committees were formed and assessed the participants. Over 42 students made it to the last stages of the competition.

The Arab Reading Challenge was launched by UAE Prime Minister and Vice President and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in September 2015. It represents the largest pan-Arab reading project, and aims to promote a sustainable model for reading through an integrated system of student-supervisor follow-ups and support, as well as monetary incentives for students, supervisors and schools across the Arab World. The project hopes to instigate a cultural renaissance in the Arab World by encouraging students to read and continuously expand their knowledge.