Emirates Post has issued commemorative postage stamps to honor the Arab Reading Challenge and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, acknowledging the positive impact of the challenge as the largest cultural and knowledge initiative in the Arab world. Instilling a culture of reading as a daily practice and a way of life among the younger generation, the Challenge has grown to become a round the year knowledge activity for all Arab students since its inception in 2016.

The new stamps celebrate the success of the Challenge in creating an integrated community activity through the engagement of students, schools, families and various components of the society as well as of libraries and institutions related to culture. Fostering a relationship based on encouragement and mutual support, the Arab Reading Challenge aspires to create a society that regards reading as a valuable practice that contributes to the advancement of society as a whole.

The new Emirates Post stamps have been released in two designs. One carries the logo of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives foundation, while the other features the logo of the Arab Reading Challenge. The three-dirham postage stamps will be available in post offices across the UAE starting October 30, 2018.

Abdulla Mohammed Alashram, Acting Group CEO, Emirates Post Group, said: "By issuing these commemorative stamps, we aim to document the great success of the Arab Reading Challenge and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives foundation. This knowledge-driven project, the largest of its kind in the Arab world, has played a significant role in establishing the culture of reading and nurturing a love for knowledge among millions of Arab students in the Arab world and those living outside it. The Challenge is set to create generations that are well-informed and empowered to build a bright future."

Pointing out that Emirates Post aims to issue stamps to mark distinctive initiatives and special occasions as part of its strategy to promote cultural and developmental activities, he said: “Postage stamps are a means of cultural communication and exchange between people that is transmitted through generations."

He further added: "The Arab Reading Challenge, which has been widely covered by domestic and international media, has strengthened the UAE's position as a global leader in launching knowledge and science exchange initiatives and projects for development and progress. We have therefore taken a strategic decision to promote the success of such initiatives by issuing special commemorative stamps. We hope that through this effort, all initiatives under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives foundation are not only remembered, but also highlighted to institutions and people on how a cultural movement can establish positive values ​​for future generations. "

Najla Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Arab Reading Challenge, said that the new Emirates Post stamps document the unprecedented success of the Challenge that witnessed the participation of 10.5 million students from 44 countries in the 2018 edition.

"Since its inception, the Arab Reading Challenge has succeeded in achieving tangible results for the participating students in terms of expanding their perceptions, enhancing their knowledge base and enabling them to choose their future paths in school, university and life so that they can be an asset to their communities and contribute to their country’s development based on the human values and valuable knowledge inculcated from reading."

Appreciating Emirates Post for its issuance of the commemorative stamps, Al Shamsi said: “In doing so, Emirates Post leads by example in encouraging other institutions and organizations to continue pioneering efforts that bring communities together."

The third edition of the Arab Reading Challenge recorded a 25 percent increase in participation over the previous year with 10.5 million students competing to win prizes totaling AED11 million (more than US$3 million). This year the event had the involvement of over 86,000 supervisors, while the number of participating schools rose from 11,000 schools in 2017 to 52,000 in 2018. Inviting the participation of Arab students living outside the region for the first time, the Arab Reading Challenge registered a total of 44 countries in 2018 - up from 16 in the previous year.