Arab Reading Challenge champion, awarded Dh500,000, aspires to become Egypt’s information minister.
Dubai: Eleven-year-old Mayar Othman Al Shourbagy was overcome with happiness when her name was announced as the winner of the 10th Arab Reading Challenge in Dubai on Thursday. She jumped to her feet, knelt down and kissed the floor in a gesture of gratitude, before rising to an emotional standing ovation and breaking into tears.
Her tears continued as she received the champion’s trophy from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. In a heartwarming moment, Sheikh Mohammed kissed her on the head and embraced her warmly.
He then took off the badge he was wearing and pinned it onto the young Egyptian winner, adding a personal touch to an already memorable occasion. The spontaneous gesture, during the grand finale at Dubai World Trade Centre, is likely to remain a cherished memory for Mayar.
This is not the first time Sheikh Mohammed has made headlines for gifting his personal badge to a young student.
In October 2024, during a visit to Al Ibda’a Model School in Dubai, the UAE Vice President was impressed when six-year-old student Rayyan Badr Mohammed confidently recited the Ruler’s full name.
Sheikh Mohammed responded by removing the badge he was wearing — a special-edition Expo 2020 Dubai keepsake — and pinning it onto the young boy.
Interestingly, that visit was also connected to the Arab Reading Challenge, as the school had secured the competition’s Dh1 million top prize in its eighth edition.
One-minute test before a live audience
Mayar was the fourth of six finalists to take the stage during the grand finale of this record-breaking edition. The contestants faced a final assessment before a live audience, with each given one minute to answer a direct question. Audience members then voted live to help determine the winner.
The Egyptian schoolgirl emerged as champion, claiming the Dh500,000 prize after competing against more than 40 million students from 60 countries.
Speaking to Gulf News after her victory, Mayar discussed her love for Arabic, her gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed, the encouragement she received from her family and school, and her ambition to preserve and promote the language. She also revealed her dream of eventually becoming Egypt’s Minister of Information.
Her journey in the Challenge
Mayar read 60 books and emerged from a pool of 17,616,289 participants in Egypt to reach the international final.
Recalling how her participation began, she said: “My journey began at school, when my supervisor noticed that I could speak Arabic confidently and had an enlightened outlook.”
She explained that she initially focused on poetry before progressing to books, developing the ability to summarise their contents with insight, intelligence and precision.
“My mother, father and the rest of my family stood by me throughout this journey. My school also created a supportive environment that helped me achieve this title,” she said.
An unwavering love for books
Reflecting on her remarkable achievement against more than 40 million students, Mayar said: “Thank God, I have won. I feel a level of pride that words cannot describe. Not even the words of Arabic, the greatest language in this world and the hereafter, can fully express my happiness.”
She also took the opportunity to express her heartfelt gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed for his encouragement and the special gesture that made her victory even more memorable.
“I would like to thank the maker of hope and champion of the Arab Reading Challenge, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He did not simply put books in our hands; he instilled in our minds a love of knowledge and an endless passion for reading.”
A future Minister of Information?
Mayar’s ambitions are closely tied to her deep affection for Arabic.
“I dream of becoming Egypt’s Minister of Information because I love the Arabic language. I admire the rhythm and beauty of its words, and I want to dedicate myself to protecting and preserving the language,” the young champion said.
She has already embraced the role of an ambassador for Arabic, taking pride in encouraging others to appreciate its richness.
“I love reading and exploring poetry, and I believe it is my responsibility to safeguard and promote Arabic, particularly after winning this title,” she added.
Reading can help save nations
Mayar also had an inspiring message for children, urging the younger generation to embrace reading and education as ways to confront the challenges facing the world.
“I say to you with all my love and passion that reading is the key to saving nations from destruction and wars.
“There are children who continue to read even during times of war, despite all the hardships they face.
“Today, I have been crowned the Arab world’s reading champion, and I hope all of you will work towards becoming number one, just as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has always encouraged us to do,” she said.
