Culture & Education | Wednesday 4 May, 2016 6:26 am |

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Interior, the “UAE Reads” cultural initiative, which was organized by the UAE University, managed to set a new Guinness World Record title for the UAE with the ‘Largest Reading Lesson’. The event was attended by Her Highness Dr. Sheikha Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan. 

 

A total of 2,604 women, including female staff members from the Ministry of Interior, gathered to listen to Her Highness Dr. Sheikha Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, as she read a number of selected texts in the ‘world’s largest reading hour’. This falls in line with the UAE’s ‘Year of Reading 2016’ initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. 

 

Colonel Waleed Salem Al Shamesi, Director General of the Police College, said: “Setting this new record and making this prestigious entry into the Guinness World Records is not something new for the UAE, which has always been at the forefront of achievements and breaking records in various fields, following in the steps of the wise leadership in their determination to achieve excellence, creativity and uniqueness.

 

Adding further, Colonel Al Shamesi said: “The Ministry of Interior was keen to sponsor the ‘UAE Reads’ initiative, in partnership with the UAE University and the Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural Center. It also coincides with the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and the ‘Abu Dhabi Reads’ initiative. This initiative plays an important role in boosting the public’s awareness and education and spreading the culture of reading and making it an integral part of people's lives.” He also stressed the keenness of the Ministry of Interior to reinforce its social partnerships with various bodies, by participating in all activities and events, in a bid to reinforce its relations with all segments and members of society, and to enhance the public’s trust in the police.

 

He added that the ministry’s initiatives, which come in response to the directives of His Highness the President of the UAE, the make 2016 the “Year of Reading” started from the beginning of 2016, are still being implemented across police departments; as a part of its endeavor to promote the spirit of reading and spreading general knowledge. He confirmed that reading is one of the most important means of learning, and gaining knowledge in various field. It is also considered the best means to utilize time for the benefit of readers, to acquire further knowledge and skills.