‘Dubai Reads’ initiative by Dubai Customs to distribute 10,000 books in public areas, schools, and universities

In collaboration with Corporate Communication Department, Dubai Customs Library of Customs Training Centre has launched “Dubai Reads" Initiative which runs until the end of December. This initiative, supported by the DC top management, aims to distribute 10,000 books in public areas, schools, and universities within knowledge bags, each containing four books.

The reading drive is being conducted in partnership with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. It supports the UAE leadership’s vision for 2016 to be the Year of Reading, and follows their directives for all government sectors and community actors to contribute to nurturing a culture of reading in society. ‘Dubai Reads’ initiative seeks to create a reading generation capable of leading the UAE toward knowledge economy and secure a brighter future.

Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs said: "Reading is the basis of evolution of human innovation and intellectual communication among nations and peoples, and it is also the basic building block for success at both the professional and personal levels." He pointed out that ‘Dubai Reads’ Initiative, which aims to promote the culture and the habit of reading among members of society, also supports the UAE’s transformation to knowledge economy.

“The initiative is a continuation to DC’s many initiatives that keep pace with the wise leadership directives to produce knowledgeable generations,” said Musabih.

Dubai Customs Director added that a book is a good guide for young people seeking innovation and excellence, since reading expands perceptions and produces cognitive creative ideas that serve humanity and improve the reader’s personal and career lives.

On her part, Dr. Sheikha Saeed Al-Ghafri, Acting Director of Customs Training Centre, explained that the launch of "Dubai Reads" Initiative falls within the project "Read", which was launched in 2015, in order to motivate staff and community members to read.

She emphasized that the Initiative is an invitation from Dubai Customs Library to employees and all community members to expand their knowledge by reading books in English and Arabic in various fields such as economics, business management, world literature, law, history, and science, as well as a book of Dubai Customs entitled “Mission and Commitment.”

Khalil Saqer Bin Gharib, Director of Corporate Communication Department said that Dubai Customs, with the unwavering support and commitment of its top management, is working to enhance and facilitate all the ways to ensure the success of such creative initiatives like ‘Dubai Reads’.

Bin Gharib affirmed that DC makes available all its capabilities and facilities in cooperation with our partners and stakeholders to uphold the wise leadership’s forward-looking vision through out of the box initiatives and programs, and ‘Dubai Reads’ campaign is just an example of these initiatives.

Sheikha Masoud Al Ahbabi, the initiative mastermind and training specialist, said the objective of "Dubai Reads" Initiative is to consolidate relationship between UAE citizens, residents, and visiting tourists through providing a book for each one. She explained that such a move would contribute to the dissemination of creative thought and conveyance of knowledge to a conscious world rallied to serve humanity as a whole and ensure global sustainable development.