Nardine Fadi is the champion of the Arab Reading Challenge in Syria.

Nardine Fadi Gerges Issa, a student, won the title of the 9th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge champion in the Syrian Arab Republic, following the final round in which 583,127 students from 5,005 schools participated under the supervision of 9,749 supervisors.

The Arab Women School's 7th grade student, Nardine Fadi Gerges Issa, affiliated with the Hama Education Directorate, was announced as the champion during the closing ceremony of the 9th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge. The ceremony took place in the Syrian capital, Damascus, and was attended by Eng. Ali Kaddah, Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic for Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Turko, Syrian Arab Republic Minister of Education, Dr. Marwan Al Halabi, Syrian Arab Republic Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Musab Al Ali, Syrian Arab Republic Minister of Health, and Mohammed Al Saleh, Syrian Arab Republic Minister of Culture. Also in attendance were Dr. Fawzan Al Khalidi, Director of Programmes and Initiatives at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, a number of officials and educators in charge of the Arab Reading Challenge initiative, and individuals interested in knowledge and cultural affairs, along with the parents of the competing students.

During the ceremony, Rashad Salem Ahmed from the Rural Damascus Education Directorate was honoured with the “Distinguished Supervisor” title, while Al Bayan Model School was honoured with the “Distinguished School” title. Mohammad Turabah Dar, a ninth-grade student at Al Risala School, affiliated with the Homs Education Directorate, won first place in the People of Determination category. A total of 220 male and female students participated in the competitions in this category.

Alongside Nardine Fadi Gerges Issa, who won the champion title at the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge in Syria, there are 9 others among the top ten list, including Maria Al Masry (11th grade) at Al Risala School, which is affiliated with the Education Directorate in Homs, Amal Diab (10th grade) at Granada School in Homs, Sana Aqil (11th grade) at Al Awael School in Aleppo, Al Aysar Sultan Hamad (8th grade) at Sawa Sharia School for Boys in the Damascus countryside. Raji Qasim Al Marai (11th grade), at Al Mutafawqin Al Aula School in Damascus, Anas Wissam Al Jamal (11th grade) at Al Mutafawqin Al Aula School in Suwayda, Jana Jamal Mahmoud (8th grade) at Al Mutafawqin Al Aula School in Daraa, Maryam Ghaith Subaih (11th grade), at Al Mutafawqin Al Aula School in Lattakia, and Ibrahim Youssef Sabouni (7th grade) at Ahmed Saleh School in Tartous.

Dr. Mohammed Turku said that the significant participation of Syrian students in the 9th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge initiative demonstrates the Syrian Ministry of Education's commitment to encouraging students to read and strive for excellence in cognitive and cultural fields. He also noted that this interest demonstrates Syrian society's commitment to continuously improving the educational attainment of future generations, fostering an appreciation of the Arabic language, and promoting communication and interaction within the Arab world.

He added, "Having witnessed the enthusiasm and excellence of students from the Syrian Arab Republic during the qualifiers for the ninth round, we are very optimistic about the future. We observed the diligence and perseverance of our male and female students, as well as their strong determination to secure their place in the final stage of the competition, which will take place in Dubai, UAE. We are inspired by Syrian students' many achievements in the Arab Reading Challenge. Most recently, Hatem Mohammed Jassim Al Turkawi won the eighth round, and before that, Sham Mohammed Al Bakour won the sixth.”

Dr. Fawzan Al Khalidi, representing the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Arab Reading Challenge team, extended congratulations to all those who had achieved success in the ninth Arab Reading Challenge within the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as their families. He also expressed gratitude to the Syrian Ministry of Education and all those who contributed to this achievement.

The ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, saw a record number of participants, which reached 32,231,000 students from 50 countries, representing 132,112 schools and supervised by 161,004 individuals.

Launched during the 2015-2016 academic year, the Arab Reading Challenge was established under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The initiative aims to promote reading, study and academic and intellectual pursuits as part of students' daily lives. The Challenge also seeks to enhance the status of the Arabic language and its role in transmitting, producing and disseminating knowledge, thereby contributing to human progress and civilisation.

The challenge also aims to foster the importance of cognitive reading in developing self-learning skills and enhance a value system among young people, by exposing them to the values, customs and beliefs of other cultures. This instils the principles of tolerance, coexistence and acceptance of others, encouraging dialogue and openness to different cultures and people.