President Abdel Fattah Al‑Sisi presented Mayar Othman with the Second‑Class Medal of Excellence after she won the 2026 Arab Reading Challenge held in Dubai.
Key takeaways
- Champion of the contest: Othman secured first place in the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge.
- Presidential award: President Al‑Sisi handed her the Second‑Class Medal of Excellence in a ceremony attended by Education Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif and Othman’s parents.
- Government emphasis: The presidency said the award highlights Egypt’s commitment to improving Arabic‑language teaching in schools.
- Student response: Othman recited poetry and said the recognition would motivate her to continue striving for academic excellence.
- Regional significance: The competition concluded in the United Arab Emirates, drawing participants from across the Arab world.
Presidential ceremony
The award ceremony took place on Wednesday in Cairo. President Al‑Sisi received Othman in the presence of Education Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif and her parents. He congratulated the student and her family, urging her to maintain her interest in the Arabic language and pursue further studies.
Government’s educational priorities
In his remarks, Al‑Sisi reiterated the government’s focus on enhancing Arabic‑language instruction in schools. He linked the recognition of outstanding students to broader efforts to raise literacy and cultural awareness across the nation.
Othman’s achievement
Mayar Othman, a student from Egypt, emerged as the overall champion of the Arab Reading Challenge, a competition organized by the Arab League to promote reading among youth. The final round was held in the United Arab Emirates, where Othman outperformed peers from several Arab countries.
Why it matters:
The award underscores Egypt’s dedication to Arabic literacy, a core element of cultural identity and education policy in the Middle East. Recognising a young Egyptian winner reinforces regional efforts to boost reading skills and supports the government’s agenda to improve language teaching standards.