Mohammed Bin Rashid crowns Egyptian student Mayar Othman as champion of Arab Reading Challenge 2026

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Thursday, crowned Egyptian student Mayar Othman champion of the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, the largest initiative of its kind in the world. The ceremony in Dubai brought together prominent officials, educators, creative minds, and enthusiasts of Arabic language and culture from across the Arab world and beyond.

The 10th edition recorded the highest participation in the initiative’s history, with 40,286,428 students from 60 countries competing for top honours. Among them were 74,062 students of determination, a 24% increase over the ninth edition. A total of 138,426 schools and 161,507 supervisors also took part.

The Arab Reading Challenge champion receives a cash prize of Dhs500,000, while the runner-up receives Dhs100,000 and the third-place winner Dhs70,000.

In the students of determination category, introduced in the initiative’s seventh edition, the champion receives Dhs200,000, the runner-up Dhs100,000, and the third-place winner Dhs50,000. Participants in this category are required to read 25 books.

The expatriate communities category offers prizes totalling Dhs200,000: Dhs100,000 for first place, Dhs70,000 for second, and Dhs30,000 for third. This category is open to students living outside the Arab world, as well as Arabic-language learners and non-native Arabic speakers.