ALC Sustains Momentum in Community Campaign to Promote Sustainable Reading

The Community Campaign to Promote Sustainable Reading, launched by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) in February to coincide with National Reading Month, has recorded remarkable success during the first half of the year.

Held under the theme “Knowledge Illuminates Our Community”, the campaign aligns with the UAE’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community, and forms part of ALC’s broader strategic vision to promote the Arabic language and foster a culture of reading across all age groups.

As a year-long initiative, the campaign positioned reading as a key driver for advancing the core values of the Year of Community, aiming to reinforce Arabic as a living expression of identity and heritage, while embedding a sustainable reading culture, deepening public appreciation, and inspiring youth to embrace reading as a lifelong habit.

A series of impactful events supported this mission, including activities during the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), which welcomed over 2,350 school visits, reaffirming the role of reading in both personal growth and community development.

The campaign encompassed more than 2,000 creative activities, including 250 major initiatives, carried out in partnership with over 100 government and private sector entities. It also saw contributions from nearly 400 creative professionals and over 15 universities.

More than 50,000 individuals across schools, universities, institutions, and public venues engaged with the campaign, which succeeded in connecting with diverse audiences through both in-person events and expansive outreach via traditional and digital media platforms.

Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of ALC, stated that the campaign achieved its performance goals and effectively established reading as a sustainable community practice.

“Following six months of innovative programming that reached nearly every sector of life and work, the campaign will continue through year-end,” he said. “It will feature a renewed, diverse range of activities across 14 knowledge domains, engaging all segments of society regardless of age, interest, or cultural background. Each domain includes a curated series of initiatives, seminars, reading circles, dialogue forums, workshops, and more.”

All ALC departments and cultural projects participated in the campaign, offering programs that catered to various community interests — from reading clubs, creative writing workshops, and author sessions, to intellectual forums and public discussions.

Additional highlights included:

• Sessions by the Kalima Reading Club across its branches
• Artistic forums and the Khazanat Al Kutub roaming book tours
• Specialised training courses, poetry evenings, and storytelling sessions
• Book launches and signings, children’s events, and cultural competitions

The campaign also integrated content focused on Emirati heritage, artificial intelligence in culture, and edutainment through radio programming. Supplementary efforts included the production of video content and field visits to libraries, schools, universities, and historical landmarks.

A notable milestone was the launch of Digital Reading Month, through ALC’s literary platforms such as the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, Kanz Al Jeel Award, and Sard Al Thahab Award, all of which saw strong public interaction.

Community-driven initiatives like “100 Stories from Our Community” and “We Read for Children” aimed to empower young readers with knowledge and foster their role as future knowledge leaders.

One of the campaign’s standout events, “Child Reads,” offered youth an immersive and interactive experience reflecting the spirit of the Year of the Community.

The campaign culminated in the launch session of the “Arabic Pals” competition, which attracted children across age groups and introduced the initiative’s goals, participation guidelines, and the educational and cultural values it promotes.

Quoted from WAM agency with modifications.