An emotional victory, a Dh500,000 prize and an unexpected gesture from one of the world's most powerful leaders made 11-year-old Mayar Othman Al Shourbagy's moment in Dubai unforgettable.
asserted
moment → make → Dubai
After she was crowned the winner of the 10th Arab Reading Challenge, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum removed the badge he was wearing and pinned it onto the young Egyptian student.
asserted
he → crown → student
Mayar had just achieved something remarkable.
asserted
Mayar → achieve → something
She emerged as the champion of the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, beating more than 40 million students from 60 countries.
asserted
She → emerge → countries
And as she stood before Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, he did something that went beyond presenting her with a trophy.
asserted
that → stand → trophy
According to a report by Gulf News, Sheikh Mohammed kissed Mayar on the head, held her close affectionately and then removed his own badge to pin it onto her.
uncertain
Mohammed → accord → her
Why did Sheikh Mohammed give Mayar his own badge?
asserted
Mohammed → give → badge
While Sheikh Mohammed did not publicly explain the specific reason behind the gesture, it appeared to be a personal expression of appreciation and encouragement for the young champion.
asserted
it → explain → champion
The badge was not part of the announced competition prize.
asserted
badge → announce → prize
Rather, it was a personal gesture from the Dubai ruler as he congratulated the young student on her achievement.
asserted
he → congratulate → achievement
When Mayar’s name was announced as the winner, she jumped up in joy, knelt down and kissed the floor in gratitude before breaking down in tears.
asserted
she → announce → tears
This was also not the first time Sheikh Mohammed had gifted his badge to a young student.
asserted
Mohammed → gift → student
During a visit to Al Ibda'a Model School in Dubai, he had removed his badge and pinned it onto six-year-old Rayyan Badr Mohammed after the boy confidently recited the ruler's full name, as per Gulf News.
asserted
boy → remove → News
Who is Mayar Othman Al Shourbagy, the girl who beat 40 million students?
asserted
who → beat → students
Mayar's victory was the result of a reading journey that began at school.
asserted
that → begin → school
The 11-year-old Egyptian student read 60 books during her preparation for the competition and was selected from among 17,616,289 contestants in Egypt.
asserted
student → read → Egypt
“My journey began at school, when my supervisor noticed that I could speak Arabic confidently and had an enlightened outlook,” Mayar said according to Gulf News.
uncertain
Mayar → begin → News
She initially started reading poetry before moving on to books, summarising them with what she described as wisdom, intelligence and precision.
asserted
she → start → wisdom
“My mother, father and entire family supported me.
asserted
mother → support → me
My school also provided the right environment that enabled me to win this title,” she said.
asserted
she → provide → title
Her achievement earned her the championship title and a cash prize of Dh500,000.
asserted
achievement → earn → Dh500,000
A competition that brought together over 40 million students
The 10th Arab Reading Challenge attracted 40,286,428 students from 60 countries, representing 138,426 schools and 161,507 supervisors.
asserted
Challenge → bring → schools
The initiative, launched by Sheikh Mohammed in 2015, aims to encourage reading, strengthen Arabic language skills and nurture a love for knowledge among younger generations.
asserted
initiative → launch → generations
The Aporia
