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The UAE has crowned its national champion for the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge after a record-breaking 830,000 students from schools across the country participated in one of the world's largest literacy initiatives.

Dana Adel Al Zarouni, a student at Al Ittihad National Private School in Abu Dhabi, was named the UAE champion during a ceremony held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. She will now represent the UAE in the international grand final of the Arab Reading Challenge.

Congratulating the winners, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, praised every student who participated, highlighting the country's continued commitment to building future generations through reading and knowledge.

For UAE parents, educators and students, this year's competition reflects not only record participation but also the growing importance of literacy, critical thinking and lifelong learning in the country's education strategy.

Here is what families need to know about this year's competition and why it continues to be one of the UAE's most significant educational initiatives.

A record year for the UAE

The 2026 edition attracted more than 830,000 students from schools across the Emirates, making it the highest level of participation ever recorded for the UAE since the competition was launched.

Students progressed through multiple qualifying rounds before the national finalists competed for the UAE title during a ceremony attended by senior government officials, educators and representatives from the education sector.

The increasing participation reflects how schools across the country have embraced reading as a core part of student development rather than simply an extracurricular activity.

Who is the UAE winner?

Dana Adel Al Zarouni from Al Ittihad National Private School in Abu Dhabi was crowned UAE champion after impressing judges throughout the competition.

Her victory now earns her the opportunity to represent the UAE in the international final, where she will compete against national champions from across the Arab world.

Winning the UAE title means Dana has emerged as the country's strongest reader after outperforming more than 830,000 participants nationwide.

Sheikh Mohammed congratulates participants

Following the announcement, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the winners while also recognising the achievements of every student who participated.

He described reading as one of the most important investments any society can make in its future and praised the enthusiasm shown by young people across the UAE.

The initiative, launched under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), continues to encourage millions of students to develop a lifelong habit of reading while strengthening Arabic language skills and expanding knowledge.

What is the Arab Reading Challenge?

Launched in 2015, the Arab Reading Challenge has grown into one of the world's largest literacy programmes.

Students are challenged to read 50 books during the academic year before progressing through school, regional and national qualifying rounds.

Beyond simply rewarding academic performance, the competition encourages:

• Reading for enjoyment
• Critical thinking
• Stronger Arabic language skills
• Communication and presentation abilities
• Independent learning habits

Each participating country selects a national champion before advancing to the international final.

A global initiative that continues to grow

This year's UAE competition forms part of the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, which has achieved record global participation.

More than 40.2 million students from 60 countries, representing over 138,000 schools, took part in this year's challenge, making it the largest edition in the initiative's history.

The figures represent a significant increase from previous years, demonstrating the continued expansion of the programme across the Arab world and beyond.

Why reading competitions matter

While competitions naturally celebrate winners, educators increasingly view initiatives such as the Arab Reading Challenge as long-term investments in children's development.

Research consistently links regular reading with:

• Improved vocabulary
• Better writing skills
• Stronger academic performance
• Increased creativity
• Higher confidence
• Enhanced critical thinking

For younger children especially, developing a reading habit can have lasting benefits that extend well beyond school examinations.

What parents can learn from this year's challenge

For many families, the biggest takeaway is not the competition itself but the reading habits it encourages.

Parents can support children by:

Creating a daily reading routine

Allowing children to choose books that match their interests

Reading together as a family

Visiting libraries and book festivals

Celebrating reading milestones rather than focusing only on competition results

These small habits often have a greater long-term impact than intensive preparation for a single event.

What happens next?

Dana Adel Al Zarouni will now go on to represent the UAE at the international grand final of the Arab Reading Challenge, where national champions from participating countries will compete for the overall title.

The international competition is expected to bring together outstanding young readers from across the Arab world, continuing the initiative's goal of promoting knowledge, literacy and a lifelong love of reading.

The wider context

The Arab Reading Challenge has become one of the UAE's flagship education initiatives, reflecting the country's broader investment in literacy, innovation and future-ready skills.

Alongside reforms in artificial intelligence, digital learning and curriculum development, the competition reinforces the message that reading remains one of the strongest foundations for lifelong learning.

For the UAE's 830,000 participants, the challenge is about far more than winning a trophy. It is about building curiosity, developing knowledge and encouraging young people to become confident learners prepared for an increasingly knowledge-driven world.

Sources:

Gulf News, "Sheikh Mohammed congratulates UAE Reading Challenge winner as 830,000 students take part". https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/sheikh-mohammed-congratulates-uae-reading-challenge-winner-as-830000-students-take-part-1.500602654 

Khaleej Times, "Arab Reading Challenge: UAE champion named from record 830,000 participants". https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/dana-adel-al-zarouni-uae-champion-arab-reading-challenge-10th-edition 

Gulf News, "Mohammed bin Rashid: 40 million students join Arab Reading Challenge". https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/mohammed-bin-rashid-40-million-students-join-arab-reading-challenge-1.500495493 

Dubai Media Office, "Mohammed bin Rashid: Our cultural projects continue, driven by our belief in the importance of fostering educated and aware individuals". https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/april/03-04/the-arab-reading-challenge