Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation to distribute 100,000 books in Yemen and refugee camps

Under the 'Reading Nation' campaign introduced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF)-- a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives-- in cooperation with the UAE Red Crescent Authority will distribute 100,000 books in public libraries in the Republic of Yemen in addition to in refugee camps in various Arab countries.

The initiative aims to combine the pioneering function of MBRF in the adoption of projects and efforts that contribute to the promotion, transfer and production of knowledge in the Arab region and the world. The Foundation is aiming to expand its role in the area through collaborative efforts and partnerships with numerous cultural and knowledge stakeholders to develop knowledge societies.

HE Jamal bin Huwaireb, Managing Director of MBRF, stated the Foundation has actually launched the initiative to distribute 100,000 books in a number of nations based upon the instructions of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of MBRF, and the leading role of MBRF in the dissemination and transfer of knowledge .

HE Bin Huwaireb said as part of MBRF's efforts to develop knowledge-based societies, and in line with its humanitarian function, the Foundation will begin the very first stage of the campaign in the Republic of Yemen, where 1,000 books would be dispersed in each library. He stated the initiative will boost the status of the UAE on the global map as a centre for culture and knowledge, and highlight its effective function in the Republic of Yemen at numerous levels.

HE Bin Huwaireb said the initiative will consist of the distribution of a great deal of books in refugee camps in different Arab nations to assist spread out knowledge among the residents of these camps and support them in developing their future.

HE Bin Huwaireb said the UAE leadership has actually constantly supported the advancement of science and understanding, especially through initiatives such as the declaration of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to mark 2016 as Year of Reading in addition to the launch of the National Strategy for Reading. Describing the UAE emphasis on knowledge advancement, HE Bin Huwaireb also highlighted the Arab Reading Challenge released by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to encourage students in the Arab world to read, with more than a million trainees dedicating to check out 50 million extracurricular books during every academic year.

His Excellency Fahad Saeed Al Menhali, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to the UAE, stated the effort released by MBRF to disperse 100,000 books in a number of countries represents the UAE's eager interest to supply humanitarian assistance in all fields, consisting of the field of knowledge, a policy that has actually been detailed by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan given that the establishment of the UAE Federation.

"The UAE has constantly played a leading role in humanitarian activities and contributed to constructing an understanding society through a range of efforts in this area. He stressed that the choice of the Republic of Yemen as the very first nation to disperse 1,000 books in each library holds substantial significance for Yemen, where thousands of students are denied of education as a result of the war situation in the country," stated HE Al Menhali.

HE Al Menhali stated low level of education has resulted in emergence extremism in Yemen along with several other countries. Knowledge is the vital to check the spread of such an environment in the region, he added.

"On this occasion, we thank the United Arab Emirates leadership and people for standing with the Yemeni people. We likewise express our gratitude to Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for this remarkable initiative and for picking Yemen as the very first country to implement this effort in cooperation with UAE Red Crescent," HE Al Menhali said.

Mohammed Abdullah Al Zarouni, Director of Red Crescent Authority in Dubai, said the Authority thinks about the MBRF initiative a significant leap in the concept of relief work as it provides support in understanding development. He stated the Reading Nation project shows the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to nurture minds in refugee camps with understanding and assistance libraries in the Islamic world with books.

The Reading Nation campaign, announced throughout the holy month of Ramadan, intends to offer 5 million books to needy students in refugee camps and develop 2000 libraries around the Islamic world.