Sheikh Mohammed gifted her his badge: Meet 11-year-old Mayar who beat 40 million students and won hearts

Eleven-year-old Mayar Othman Al Shourbagy's face lit up with joy when her name was called as the winner of the 10th Arab Reading Challenge in Dubai. Overwhelmed by emotion, she knelt down and kissed the floor in gratitude, before breaking down in tears upon receiving the champion's trophy from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The special moment was made even more memorable when Sheikh Mohammed removed his badge and pinned it onto Mayar's jacket, showering her with affection.

Mayar's incredible achievement is not simply a testament to her reading prowess, but also to her unwavering passion for the Arabic language. In an interview following her victory, she expressed her gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed for not only providing her with books but also instilling in her a love of knowledge and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the Arabic language. She hopes to become Egypt's Minister of Information, dedicating her life to promoting and protecting the language.

Her journey in the challenge began at school, where her supervisor noticed her natural fluency in Arabic and her insightful perspective. She read 60 books, starting with poetry before moving on to more complex works, with unwavering support from her family and school. Despite being one of over 40 million students who participated across 60 countries, Mayar's victory is a shining example of the transformative power of education and the unyielding spirit of young minds determined to make a difference.