File picture used for representation
Doha: Qatar Foundation (QF), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, yesterday unveiled ‘Qatar Reads’ – an initiative designed to build on the success of its National Reading Campaign, and create a culture of reading that places storytelling and discovery at the heart of the nation.
Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali said: “Reading is rooted in Arab-Islamic civilization as our religion places much importance on seeking knowledge. With knowledge, mankind has been elevated from the rest of the creatures on Earth. The sacredness of knowledge is deeply rooted in our religion, as the first word in the Holy Qur’an is ‘Recite’.
The Minister said that reading should not be limited to achieving personal, short-lived goals. Rather, the knowledge gained through reading should be for the betterment of society. He said that these perspectives are reflected in the mission of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, which aims to educate society and equip them with knowledge.
The Ministry values this partnership and will harness its full potential to further the success of the initiative. “Reading is an important source of knowledge, and it plays a central role in shaping the minds of individuals within society,” said the Minister.
Innovative, inclusive, and connecting with different audiences in tailored and interactive ways, Qatar Reads aims to encourage and inspire Qatar’s community to recognize how reading opens up pathways of knowledge and opportunities for social engagement, shapes future leaders – and takes those who pick up a book on a journey driven by imagination and exploration.
The momentum created by the National Reading Campaign – which primarily focused on engaging those aged 18 and under – will be capitalised on by Qatar Reads as it reaches out to people with differing needs, lifestyles, and characteristics, from young children and their families to teenagers, university students, and teachers. Specialized programs, initiatives, and channels will be used to inspire a collective, Qatar-wide love of reading.
“Reading is an integral element of nurturing a society of leaders – equipped with knowledge, broad and open mindsets, and positive values, and empowered to make learning a constant part of their lives,” said Machaille Al Naimi, President of Community Development, QF. He said that It prompts a desire for exploration and discovery, qualities that are valuable in life and vital for the future of Qatar and the generation who will shape that future.
Qatar Reads will go further than being an events-based outreach program, bringing its message to Qatar’s community through innovative concepts that illustrate the vibrancy of reading. The first of these is the Family Reading Program, which aims to make reading a fun and exciting habit for children and promote it as a family activity, where parents reading with their sons and daughters becomes part of everyday home life.
Tapping into children’s natural curiosity and encouraging them to bring books home, Qatar Reads will select two books every month—all with activity sheets and other materials — for each of seven different age groups, from kindergarten to Grade 6. By creating a scenario where children across Qatar are reading books with the same theme, the program – a collaboration with leading children’s book publisher Scholastic – aims to create a shared reading network, where young readers can discuss the stories they have explored, exchange ideas, and learn in groups.
