Arab Reading Challenge Winners for 2025 Donate Half of Prize Money to Palestine
Literacy Champions Baisan and Baylsan Koka Give Back — Pledge Dh250,000 to Support Palestine
In a remarkable display of reading prowess and generous spirit, 12-year-old Tunisian twin sisters Baisan Koka and Baylsan Koka have emerged as joint winners of the 2025 Arab Reading Challenge, held in Dubai.
Each sister read more than 600 books over the course of the competition, securing the top prize of Dh500,000, and using their win as a platform for charitable impact.
The award ceremony took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre and was officiated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
In a standout act of philanthropy, the twins pledged to donate half of their prize money — Dh250,000 — to support people in Palestine, while the remaining amount is earmarked for their family.
Beyond their exceptional generosity, Baisan and Baylsan’s achievement underscores the significance of the Arab Reading Challenge as a literacy-movement. This ninth edition of the contest drew participation from more than 32 million students across 50 countries, solidifying its status as the world’s largest Arabic-language reading initiative.
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The twins’ stories are as inspiring as their academic feat. Baisan, who plays the oud, aspires to become a doctor, while Baylsan, a violinist, envisions a future as a software engineer.
Their donation gesture adds a meaningful dimension to their prize. In pledging the funds to Palestine, the sisters align academic achievement with social responsibility. Their choice resonates amid wider regional focus on youth empowerment and global citizenship through education.