Dubai: The final "mystery reader" for Dubai Cares' Million Book Challenge was revealed on Monday as Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mub-arak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, a day after the challenge ended.
The million book challenge aimed to have Dubai school pupils collectively read one million books in two weeks.
Dubai Cares will donate a book to a needy child for every book read by a Dubai pupil.
Shaikh Nahyan read a book entitled with the name of the founder and first president of the UAE, the late Shaikh Zayed. The book, which dealt with the history of the UAE, was read to over fifty grade one students and the minister provided anecdotes as he read and answered students' questions.
Dubai Cares said the reading was a final push to encourage children to continue reading and building on their accomplishments in the Million Book Challenge.
Dubai Cares will announce the total number of books read by all students tomorrow at an event that will be attended by students and teachers from all schools that participated in the challenge.
Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Chairperson of Dubai Cares Board of Directors said: "In the final days of the Million Book Challenge, we were pleased to see that children throughout the community eagerly reading to help us reach our one-million book mark. It is our hope that children will build on their achievements well after the challenge has ended. Dubai Cares thanks Shaikh Nahyan for taking the time to be with the students and for emphasising the importance of reading and showing how history is an important source of knowledge to inspire children to become tomorrow's leaders."
The books donated by Dubai Cares will be given to Room to Read, an international charity, as well as Arab organisations.
Thermometer
According to Dubai Cares, one million books stacked on top of each other are four kilometres high, five times the expected height of Burj Dubai. Each evening, Dubai Cares beams the total number of books read on Burj Dubai, which is being used as a visual thermometer, to mark the campaign's progress towards its goal.
Residents and visitors in the UAE can also contribute to strengthening literacy around the world by sponsoring a book for Dh10 each by calling 800 DXB CARES or at participating bookstores.