Dhahran, Saudi Arabia – : The 11th edition of the “Iqra” Reading Competition has achieved a record-breaking milestone, attracting 384,000 student registrations from 61 countries around the world. This marks the highest participation level since the competition’s inception and represents a 100 percent increase compared to the previous edition.
Organized by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), an initiative of Saudi Aramco, the competition is one of the largest cultural initiatives in the Arab world. It aims to enhance reading rates across the region, discover emerging talent, develop participants’ linguistic and intellectual skills, and cultivate future role models in the fields of knowledge and culture.
The competition consists of several stages. Participants begin by selecting a book of their choice—whether fiction or non-fiction—and submitting a written review that summarizes the book, shares their personal reflections, and explains their motivation for selecting it. A panel of specialists evaluates submissions according to established criteria, selecting the most outstanding participants to advance to personal interviews scheduled for July 2026.
During the interview stage, participants are assessed on their comprehension of the book they reviewed, their ability to articulate ideas, language proficiency, and overall engagement with reading. Successful candidates then qualify for the Ithra Enrichment Forum, an immersive educational experience featuring lectures, workshops, and interactive discussions led by distinguished writers, thinkers, and literary figures.
The forum will bring together top readers from across the Arab world between 19 July and 15 August 2026. Participants from primary and intermediate levels will attend a one-week program, while secondary school and university students will participate in a two-week program. The most outstanding participants will subsequently advance to the competition’s grand finale, scheduled for December 2026.
Each stage of the competition is governed by specific evaluation criteria, including the participant’s ability to present thoughtful book reviews, demonstrate linguistic accuracy, exhibit a genuine passion for reading, apply analytical and critical thinking skills, and effectively communicate ideas.
Beyond identifying exceptional readers, the “Iqra” Competition seeks to present them as role models for their peers, thereby promoting a culture of reading and lifelong learning across Arab societies. The initiative aims to extend its impact beyond the finalists, inspiring students throughout the region to embrace reading and share their reading experiences with others.
