Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a landmark announcement made in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sobha Realty has pledged AED500 million to establish an endowment dedicated to the Arab Reading Challenge. The contribution, signed under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), aims to secure sustainable funding for the world’s largest Arabic-language reading competition.

The agreement was formalized during a ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Centre, coinciding with the crowning of the 2025 Arab Reading Champion. Representing the partners, His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of MBRGI, and PNC Menon, Founder and Chairman of Sobha Realty, signed the agreement, marking a new milestone in the region’s cultural and educational advancement.

Under the initiative, Sobha Realty will develop an endowment project in Dubai, with its returns dedicated to supporting the Arab Reading Challenge’s long-term goals — from promoting reading habits among students to empowering young Arabs to embrace knowledge, innovation, and culture as tools for progress.

Launched in 2015 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Arab Reading Challenge has become a defining movement for literacy in the Arab world. Over 163 million students from 50 countries have participated in its nine editions, reflecting a remarkable 795% growth since inception. The competition rewards excellence with a total of AED11 million in annual prizes, recognizing students, schools, supervisors, and community champions for their achievements.

In December 2024, the Arab League officially encouraged education ministries to integrate the challenge into school curricula, acknowledging it as a transformative project that strengthens Arabic as a pillar of cultural identity.

With Sobha Realty’s historic endowment, the initiative gains a powerful boost — one that promises to keep the spirit of reading alive for millions of young Arabs, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge remains at the heart of the region’s future.

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