Arab Reading Challenge (ARC) participants were honored at a ceremony held under the patronage of Bahrain's Minister of Education Dr. Majed Al Nuaimi and ARC Secretary General Najla Al Shamsi at the Ministry of Education in Isa Town. Nuaimi honored Aisha Badia Mohammed, the Bahrain ARC champion who is in the 3rd grade at Umm Ayman Primary School, Muna Al Sheikh Yusuf Al-Sadiqi and Nouriya Ali Al Hayaki, the winners of the distinguished supervisors award, and the winner of the best school Al-Iman Private School for Girls. "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," Nuaimi said. "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," he added. 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." 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 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. — SG
