Dubai: Monday 17 November, 2008 – His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak, UAE Federal Minister of Higher Education, was the final Mystery Reader to surprise students, capping Dubai Cares’ two-week Million Book Challenge. His Highness read ‘Sheikh Zayed’, a book on the UAE’s history, to over 50 Grade 1 students at GEMS World Academy in Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Nahyan provided anecdotes and answered the questions of students who were engaged throughout the story.

His Highness provided the final push to encourage children to continue reading, building on their accomplishments in the Million Book Challenge which ended yesterday. Dubai Cares will announce the total number of books read by all students this coming Wednesday at an event that will be attended by students and teachers from all schools that participated in the Challenge.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, 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 1-million book mark – it is our hope that children will build on their achievements well after the challenge has ended. Dubai Cares thanks His Highness Sheikh Nahyan for taking the time to be with the students and for emphasizing the importance of reading and showing how history is an important source of knowledge to inspire children to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

Following the reading His Highness was given a tour accompanied by Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman of GEMS, to the Academy’s planetarium and concert hall who highlighted the impact of the Million Book Challenge among GEMS students.

“The latest Dubai Cares campaign has been eagerly received by students across Dubai who have been inspired to read as their personal contribution to the Dubai Cares campaign – their participation is an expression of their desire to improving access to books in developing nations globally,” said Varkey. “This campaign will be remembered for helping plant the philanthropic spirit amongst the future generation of Dubai.”

The Million Book Challenge invited all students aged 3-14 years to collectively read 1,000,000 books in two weeks. For each book read, Dubai Cares will purchase and donate a book in the local language to needy children around the world. The distribution of books will be managed by organizations, including Arab NGO’s throughout the region.

Stacked atop one another, one million books is, conservatively, four kilometres high, which is five times the height of Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world. 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 AED10 each by calling 800 DXB CARES or at participating bookstores.

Considered the largest charitable establishment solely devoted to improving primary education globally, Dubai Cares is actively addressing the educational needs of more than four million children worldwide through partnerships with international aid agencies.

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1. Mirdif Private School Organizes Reading Marathon to Support Million Book Challenge
2. World’s Tallest Building To Track Progress Of Dubai Cares’ Million Book Challenge
3. In the Presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Dubai Cares Launches Volunteer Campaign
4. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation Pledges 100,000 Books in Support of Dubai Cares’ Million Book Challenge
5. Dubai Cares Turns Focus on High School Students with Introduction of Web-based, Fundraising Initiative