Mohammed: Bahrain’s Young Reading Champion

Every so often, Bahrain reminds the world of the exceptional spirit of its people — a spirit capable of breaking barriers and achieving milestones that resonate far beyond our shores. Last week was one such proud moment, as our young student Mohammed Jassim Mubarak captured second place in the 9th Arab Reading Challenge, standing out among 32 million students from 50 countries.

It is hard to imagine the magnitude of a competition that brings together 32 million young minds from across the Arab world and beyond. Yet, in that vast sea of talent, Mohammed shone brightly — a living testament to Bahrain’s enduring gift of excellence. His achievement reaffirms that every new generation of Bahrainis carries within it the same creativity, determination, and brilliance that keep the nation’s wheels of progress turning.

While Bahrain takes immense pride in the accomplishments of its youth, this achievement stands out as a reminder that even our youngest citizens are carrying the national flag high on the world stage. With his articulate voice, confident expression, and eloquent Arabic, Mohammed allowed the world to hear Bahrain — not just through words, but through the warmth and authenticity of his voice and spirit. To appreciate the scale of this success, one must understand what the Arab Reading Challenge entails. The competition consists of six stages, beginning with registration, followed by reading and summarizing ten books in each of five subsequent rounds. By the final stage, participants have read and summarized fifty books beyond their school curriculum — a remarkable commitment for any student.

The initiative was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote reading across the Arab world. Its goal is to encourage over one million students each year to read fifty million books, nurturing a culture of reading as a foundation for advancement and innovation. The challenge now reaches not only schools and universities across Arab countries but also Arab expatriates and non-native Arabic learners worldwide.

The UAE has long been known for initiatives that transcend its borders, enriching the entire region. Yet, this particular project holds a special place — for it uplifts our children, preserves the beauty of the Arabic language, and rekindles the joy of reading in a generation too often distracted by screens.

Mohammed’s triumph is a sign of hope. It proves that the coming generation has not lost its direction, and that among Bahrain’s youth are those who choose knowledge and reflection over distraction. He reminds us that books remain the foundation upon which nations build education, enlightenment, and progress.

I see a bright future ahead for this talented young boy. Perhaps one day, Mohammed will follow in the footsteps of the late Dr. Mohammed Jaber Al Ansari, becoming a voice of thought and culture for our nation. My deepest appreciation goes to his parents, who instilled in him this noble path, and to the Ministry of Education for its continuous dedication to nurturing excellence.

This accomplishment would not have been possible without the visionary leadership of His Majesty the King, whose aspirations for Bahrain’s future generations continue to bear fruit, and the tireless efforts of the government under His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Indeed, Mohammed’s voice has reached far beyond the classroom — it has carried Bahrain’s message to the world: a message of hope, learning, and a love for knowledge that never fades.

(Captain Mahmood Al Mahmood is the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Tribune and the President of the Arab-African Unity Organisation for Relief, Human Rights and Counterterrorism)