Dubai's Shoba Real Estate Pledges AED 500M to Support Arab Reading Challenge

Sobha Realty, one of Dubai's major property developers, just announced a massive 500 million dirham endowment to support the Arab Reading Challenge. The announcement came during the initiative's 2025 finals ceremony, attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Dubai's ruler. This funding will help sustain what's become the world's largest Arabic reading competition since its launch in 2015.

The endowment agreement was signed by Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Secretary General of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, and P.N.C. Menon, founder and chairman of Sobha Realty Group. Under the deal, Sobha will establish an endowment in Dubai, with all proceeds going directly to the Arab Reading Challenge and its programs to promote Arabic language and literacy.

Here's where the numbers get impressive. Over nine editions, the competition has attracted more than 163 million students. The latest round saw participation from over 32 million students - that's a 795% jump from the first edition's 3.6 million participants. The program now spans 50 countries and involves more than 132,000 schools.

The initiative got a significant boost in December 2024 when the Arab League called on education ministries across Arab nations to adopt the Arab Reading Challenge as part of their official curriculum. This endorsement positions the program as more than just a competition - it's becoming an educational standard across the region.

Al Gergawi emphasized that this reflects Sheikh Mohammed's long-term vision to encourage new Arab generations toward reading and creativity. "This contribution demonstrates the unique interaction from UAE society with the state's efforts to help new Arab generations acquire sciences and modern tools," he said.

For Sobha Realty, this represents a major corporate social responsibility move. Menon explained that the company sees this as part of its commitment to supporting students across different fields of knowledge. The partnership builds on existing cooperation between Sobha and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation.

The competition offers substantial prizes - 11 million dirhams annually across all categories. Since 2015, total prize money has reached 99 million dirhams. The overall champion receives 500,000 dirhams, while the top school gets 1 million dirhams. There are also specific categories for people of determination and expatriate communities.

The Arab Reading Challenge aims to make Arabic reading a daily habit among students, strengthen Arabic as a vehicle for thought and culture, and help young Arabs engage with modern knowledge while maintaining their linguistic identity. The program encourages students to read 50 books during the academic year, developing their comprehension and expression skills in Arabic.

This endowment ensures the program's sustainability and growth potential. With backing from one of the region's major real estate players, the Arab Reading Challenge can expand its reach and impact across the Arab world, potentially influencing how Arabic literacy is approached in schools and communities for years to come.