UAE's Ramadan 'Reading Nation' Campaign To Provide Five Million Books to Children Around The World

by Rana Asfour

The 'Reading Nation', a Ramadan campaign launched by HH Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as part of his Highness's Global Initiatives aims to secure books for children around the world particularly those living in refugee camps as well as those attending schools in need around the world.

Marking its launch with the start of Ramadan, the initiative aims to deliver five million books from the UAE to the world. Out of the total 5 million books, the initiative will provide one million books to support educational charity programmes that are carried out abroad by UAE humanitarian organisations, two million books to be donated to refugee camps and another two million books for the construction and equipment of 2000 libraries in needy schools around the world.

According to the initiative's website (in English and Arabic) the campaign 'is yet another initiative through which the UAE expresses its passion for serving humanity. It represents the UAE’s transition from feeding the hungry and quenching thirst, to nurturing the mind and the soul during the holy month of Ramadan'.

​His Highness Sheikh Mohammed wrote yesterday on his twitter account:
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The fastest way to end poverty is to eliminate ignorance. We plan to move from feeding the hungry to nurturing minds'
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Business leaders and public and private institutions were invited to join the campaign, which Sheikh Mohammed described as a “shining beacon of hope from the UAE".

According to the UAE's 'National' newspaper, institutions were provided with five packages and can donate between Dh500,000 and Dh10 million to Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank and Emirates Islamic Bank. For every Dh10 donation, a book is given to the cause. 

Meanwhile, donation platforms were set up in malls, including Mirdif City Centre, Festival City, Sharjah Mega Mall, Dubai Marina Mall and Dubai Mall. Residents can also donate to the campaign by texting the word “read" to one of four text numbers. The donation amount for the text number 9030 is Dh30; 9090 is Dh90; 9300 is Dh300; and 9900 is Dh900, which will allow for the donation of 90 books.

The campaign ends on the 19th day of Ramadan.

For more on how to donate click HERE.