A Dubai pupil was on Tuesday crowned the nation's best young reader after seeing off competition from 700,000 fellow learners.
Ahmad Faisal Ali, a Grade 9 pupil at Zayed Education Complex in Al Barsha, was named the winner of the UAE Arab Reading Challenge at a ceremony held at Dubai World Trade Centre.
He will now go on to represent the Emirates in the global grand final of the eighth annual event later this year, which has attracted a record 28.2 million entrants from 50 countries.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, hailed the huge numbers of literature lovers who took part.
"I am incredibly proud of the 700,000 students across the UAE who participated in the Arab Reading Challenge, with many completing the challenge of reading 50 books throughout the academic year," Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X.
"Congratulations to the winners who were announced today. Their accomplishment fills me with optimism for the Emirati generation who demonstrate dedication to reading and acquiring knowledge.
"I am confident that these youth, proud of their identity, will have the understanding and capacity to appreciate the diverse cultures of our world, all while playing a vital role in building the future of the UAE."
Asem Abbara, from Abu Dhabi, was named Outstanding Supervisor, while Sulaiman Khamis Sulaiman Al Khadim, from Zayed Education Complex in Dibba Al Fujairah, secured top spot in the People of Determination category, which recognised the achievements of disabled pupils.
Al Ebdaa Model School – Cycle 1, a public school in Dubai, was named Outstanding School.
The awards event was attended by Ahmad Al Falasi, Minister of Education; Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairperson of the Emirates Schools Establishment; Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture; Maryam Al Hammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet; and Saeed Mohammad Al Eter, Assistant Secretary General of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.
Promoting passion for prose
The Arab Reading Challenge was launched by Sheikh Mohammed in 2015 to encourage 1 million young people to read at least 50 books in a year.
The annual winner is selected based on the pupil's ability to articulate general knowledge, their critical thinking and communication skills, plus the diversity of books they have selected.
An Emirati teenager and a schoolboy from Qatar were the first joint winners of the Arab Reading Challenge last year.
The UAE's Amnah Al Mansoori, 17, and Abdullah Al Berri, 12, shared the Dh1 million ($270,000) prize after votes were tied following an international competition which attracted 24.8 million entrants.
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360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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Stage 4
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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
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Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
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Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
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Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
