A book vending machine on display at Dar Al-Hekma College in Jeddah. (SPA photo) JEDDAH: Dar Al-Hekma College recently launched a book-vending machine to encourage reading and make books available to readers at any time of the day. Commenting on the idea, Dr. Suhair Al-Qurashi, Dean of Dar Al-Hekma College, pointed out that modern technology has created a gap between young people and books. “For that reason, we thought of establishing a club for reading that complies with the new high technology era. We hope to use all possible means in our attempt to re-implant the culture of reading in all segments of society,” she said. Nora Talal, supervisor of the reading club, said that the choice of the types of books displayed in the vending machine depend on feedback from a questionnaire that has been circulated to school and university students of both genders. She said that schools, universities and larger shopping centers all over the country will soon see similar book vending machines. “We're hopeful that these machines will lend a hand in spreading the culture of reading among members of society of different ages,” she said. Talal and her colleagues believe that Muslims are a nation of readers and that this should be encouraged, especially among young people today. “The first word that was revealed to Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) was ‘Iqra' which means ‘read',” she said. With her friends, Talal also thinks that a nation whose members do not read is not likely to create any sort of renaissance and development. “Iqra isn't merely a word; it is a style of life and a way toward civilization,”she added.
