Zad Rashid Dubai's New Reading Drive to Inspire Young Minds

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

The Community Development Authority (CDA) and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority have launched a new initiative called ‘Zad Rashid’, with the goal of encouraging children in Dubai to read more and connect with their culture and language.

As part of the initiative, 1,000 home libraries will be given out to families across Dubai. Each library includes 25 books carefully chosen for young readers. Most of the books—80%—are written by Emirati authors, and the rest are written by Arab writers living in the UAE. This is a big step towards supporting local writers and showing the world that Dubai is a city that values knowledge and creativity.

A Smarter Alternative to Screens
‘Zad Rashid’ isn’t just about giving books to kids. It’s about giving them something meaningful to enjoy instead of spending too much time on screens. The books are meant to boost imagination, improve Arabic language skills, and help children think more deeply and ask questions.

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To say thank you to regular readers, 25 Emirati families who often borrow books from public libraries have already received one of these home libraries as a gift. This also encourages families to visit public libraries more often.

A Place for Discussion and Inspiration
The initiative also includes a special discussion session called ‘The Importance of Reading in Building an Informed Society’, where Emirati writers, children, and parents will sit together to talk about the value of books. This kind of event helps writers connect directly with their young readers and may even inspire some children to become authors one day.

Leaders Speak
Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the CDA, said that ‘Zad Rashid’ is more than just a reading programme. It is a long-term plan to grow children’s love for books and help families keep reading as a regular part of their lives. She added that the initiative brings together culture and community in a way that focuses on children and families first.

Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, said that reading is the key to knowledge and success. It helps children prepare for a better future and develop creative and critical thinking. She also said that this initiative supports Emirati writers and helps share the rich culture and history of the UAE with the next generation.

Looking Ahead
The goal of ‘Zad Rashid’ is to make reading fun and exciting for children, reduce screen time, and help them use their imagination more. The CDA will continue working with its partners to bring new ideas that support children’s growth, protect their cultural roots, and build a better society.

This project hopes to plant the love of reading in every Emirati child—book by book, story by story—leading them into a bright and creative future.