Dhahran | BETH | B
9 June 2026

The eleventh edition of the "Iqra" (Read) Competition, organized by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), achieved a new record with 384,000 registered students from 61 countries worldwide, marking a 100% increase compared with the previous edition.

The competition is considered one of the largest cultural initiatives in the Arab world dedicated to promoting reading and discovering linguistic and intellectual talent. Participants progress through several stages, beginning with a review of a book of their choice and culminating in an enrichment program and a final ceremony honoring outstanding readers.

BETH Analysis

The significance of this achievement lies not only in the number of participants, but also in the message it conveys.

At a time when attention is increasingly drawn toward short-form content and fast-moving digital media, the participation of 384,000 students from 61 countries demonstrates that reading continues to attract a broad audience when presented through an engaging and purposeful initiative.

The competition’s expanding international reach also reflects its evolution from a local initiative into a cultural platform with a growing Arab and global presence, capable of connecting with new generations of readers and knowledge seekers.

Perhaps the most important indicator is that the competition is not measured by the number of books read, but by participants’ ability to comprehend, analyze, and think critically—skills that have become increasingly valuable in the age of artificial intelligence and information abundance.

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