Introduction to the Arab Reading Challenge
The Arab Reading Challenge (ARC) is the largest-ever Arab literacy initiative. Launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to encourage students to read, ARC challenges students to read as many books as possible (over 50) in one academic year.
The challenge is an Arabic reading competition with participating students from Years 1 to 12 from schools across the Arab world. The competition starts every year in September until the end of March. Students work through five stages of the competition reading ten books and summarising their content in the challenge passports. Upon completion of the reading and summarising, the final stage of elimination commences according to set criteria. The eliminations are done amongst schools, education zones and Arab countries until the finals which are held annually in Dubai in October.
The purpose of the Arab Reading Challenge
The Arab Reading Challenge (ARC) is the largest-ever Arab literacy initiative. Launched by His UAE Vice President and Prime Minister of the and Ruler of Dubai Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to encourage students to read, ARC challenges students to read as many books as possible (over 50) in one academic year.
The challenge is an Arabic reading competition with participating students from Years 1 to 12 from schools across the Arab world. The competition starts every year in September until the end of March. Students work through five stages of the competition reading ten books and summarising their content in the challenge passports. Upon completion of the reading and summarising, the final stage of elimination commences according to set criteria. The eliminations are done amongst schools, education zones and Arab countries until the finals which are held annually in Dubai in October.
Aims of the Arab Reading Challenge is to
- Raise awareness of the importance of reading among students and youth in the Arab World.
- Improve Arabic language skills, including fluency and eloquence in Arabic speech.
- Develop self-learning, analytical and critical thinking.
- Skills, and broaden understanding and comprehension. Develop emotional and intellectual intelligence.
- Promote cultural awareness among students.
- Build a network of young Arab readers and facilitate the communication between them to build Arab cultural gatherings.
- Promote patriotism and Arabism, and the feeling of belonging to one nation.