In a remarkable achievement, twin sisters Bisan and Bilsan Kouka have claimed the title of champions in the Arabic Reading Challenge in Tunisia. Competing against an impressive cohort of 128,666 students from 2,100 schools and under the guidance of 5,820 supervisors, their victory stands as a testament to their dedication and love for reading.
Celebrating the Winners
The announcement of the twin sisters Bisan and Bilsan Kouka’s win was made during the closing ceremony of the ninth edition of the Arabic Reading Challenge, held in the capital, Tunis. The event was graced by prominent figures, including Nourredine Al-Nouri, the Minister of Education in Tunisia, and Dr. Iman Ahmed Al-Salami, the Ambassador of the UAE to Tunisia. Joining them were Dr. Fawzan Al-Khalidi, Director of Programs and Initiatives at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, along with numerous educators and parents who came to celebrate this significant occasion.
During the event, Aliyah Boushakh was honored as the “Distinguished Supervisor,” and Haffer Al-Mahr School from Bizerte was recognized as the “Distinguished School.” This highlights the collective efforts that contribute to nurturing a culture of reading across Tunisia.
Top Contenders
Out of numerous participants, ten finalists were selected for the Arabic Reading Challenge. Besides Bisan and Bilsan Kouka, the list included Tasnim Al-Jawadi, who is in the third grade at Sidi Bou Zid Model Institute, Ikram Habila from the Model Institute in Gabes, and others from various schools across the country. Their collective effort underlines the strong reading culture taking root in Tunisian schools.
This ninth edition of the Arabic Reading Challenge saw unprecedented participation, with over 32 million students from 50 countries representing 132,112 schools, guided by 161,004 supervisors. Such numbers reflect the growing engagement with Arabic literature and reading in the Arab world.
A Commitment to Education
Nourredine Al-Nouri expressed his satisfaction with Tunisia’s participation, emphasizing the Ministry‘s ongoing commitment to fostering a love for reading among students. “Our message is clear: the promotion of culture among the younger generations is a top priority,” he stated. The increasing knowledge base of Tunisian students, he noted, demonstrates the effectiveness of initiatives like the Arabic Reading Challenge in enhancing students’ skills across various fields.
Dr. Fawzan Al-Khalidi highlighted the collaborative efforts that contributed to the success of this year’s challenge, noting, “The ninth round successfully attracted over 32.2 million participants.” This achievement reinforces the positive impact that such initiatives have in fostering a love for knowledge and reading among children.
Enhancing Reading Culture
The Arabic Reading Challenge, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, aims to elevate reading’s importance among students across the Arab world. Launched in the 2015-2016 academic year, it encourages participants to develop their comprehension and self-expression skills in Arabic while enhancing their critical thinking abilities. This initiative fosters valuable interactions and openness to diverse cultures, enriching the Arabic knowledge base.
The outstanding achievement of twin sisters Bisan and Bilsan Kouka in the Arabic Reading Challenge stands not only as a personal victory but as an inspiring story for many young readers. Their success exemplifies the transformative power of literacy and the importance of nurturing reading habits from an early age.