Headquartered in in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) achieved a major milestone as its Community Campaign to Support Sustainable Reading reached more than 62,000 beneficiaries during the first half of 2026. Aligned with the UAE’s Year of Family, the second cycle of this initiative strengthens reading as an essential daily habit while broadening the social impact of the Arabic language through public engagement, academic collaborations, and community partnerships.
Broad-scale outreach initiatives driving community participation
ALC executive director His Excellency Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji noted that this rapid growth highlights how accessible literature unifies communities and deepens cultural connections. Ground-level initiatives drove much of this impact, with the Khazanat Al Kutub program reaching over 54,000 individuals by displaying ALC publications in key public facilities. Through the Reading in Public effort, the centre distributed over 1,000 Arabic books to the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, transforming everyday locations like hospitals, parks, and cafes into reading hubs.
Youth literacy and educational support remained vital pillars of the campaign throughout the six-month period. The Treasures of Knowledge project enriched the United Arab Emirates University library with 2,000 titles from the Kalima Project for Translation and Esdarat project. Concurrently, the Kalima School Reading Club expanded toward a target of 40 schools across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, while the Al Dhafra Book Festival hosted 1,980 students across 58 school visits. The ALC also advanced accessibility through its Arabic Through People of Determination Eyes program, offering specialized Braille workshops to foster inclusivity.
Bridging physical campaigns with global digital infrastructure
This extensive physical outreach directly complements the ALC’s digital ecosystem launched in late 2025. The centre established the Digital Arabic Library in partnership with Arabookverse to make authentic Arabic literature, research, and audiobooks globally accessible.
By pairing grassroots community reading programs with dynamic digital channels, the ALC connects physical readers in local venues with global digital audiences, furthering the UAE’s vision of preserving Arabic as a living language of innovation, identity, and knowledge.
Heritage meets global innovation, cultural leadership in Abu Dhabi
As the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi stands as a dynamic global center where deep-seated cultural heritage seamlessly blends with forward-looking innovation. Situated along the Arabian Gulf, the emirate has transformed from a traditional pearl-diving settlement into an international hub for finance, tourism, and sustainable urban development.
At the heart of the city’s identity is a commitment to arts and intellectual progress. Cultural landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque showcase architectural mastery, while Saadiyat Island hosts world-class cultural institutions, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Beyond its architectural monuments, the emirate actively champions the preservation and promotion of Arabic language, literature, and regional arts through extensive community literacy initiatives and digital publishing projects.
Abu Dhabi’s economy continues to diversify beyond energy, prioritizing technology, renewable power, and world-class hospitality. From the tranquil mangrove national parks to the bustling urban spaces and coastal corniche, the city provides a rich tapestry of natural beauty and modern sophistication. Modern, safe, and deeply rooted in its heritage, the city remains a vibrant crossroad of global culture, connecting diverse communities through shared knowledge, innovation, and tradition.
CONAN Daily 