/ONA/
The Ministry of Information Theatre hosted the closing ceremony honoring the winners of the “Iqra” competition for young readers in its 14th edition for the year 2025, organized by the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science.
The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency Mohammed bin Said Al Balushi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information.
The number of students participating in this year’s competition reached (2243) male and female students from various schools across the Sultanate of Oman, distributed across (14) centers in all governorates. The competition commenced in April and continued through November 2025.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the organizing committee, Khadija bint Mohammed Al Nadabiyah, Librarian in charge at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Library, stated that the competition aimed to promote a culture of reading among young people, strengthen their relationship with books and libraries, develop their cultural and cognitive awareness, and refine their linguistic and intellectual skills. This contributes to building an aware generation capable of continuous learning and positive engagement with evolving knowledge and cultural developments, and reinforces support for national development pathways.
The competition comprised 3 levels. The first level was designated for students in Grades (5–6). Participants read 4 books and produced summaries of 2 of them, covering topics including Omani figures, the importance of reading, folk tales, folk literature, and space sciences.
The second level targeted students in Grades (7–8) and included reading 5 books and summarizing 3 of them on a range of topics, including Islamic architecture, the role of the Omani family in raising children, agriculture and fisheries resources, natural phenomena and disasters, and bullying in its various forms.
The third level was designated for students in Grades (9–10). Participants read 6 books and produced summaries of 4 of them, addressing topics such as Omani diplomacy, digital citizenship and strengthening cultural identity, the digital economy, distance education, cyber extortion, and cybersecurity.
In the first level, the top 3 places were won respectively by student Al Kawthar bint Walid Al Khuzaymiyah from Rayhanah bint Zayed Basic Education School in North Al Batinah Governorate, student Sheem bint Ayman Al Maawaliyah from Al Takween Private Schools in South Al Batinah Governorate, and student Hoor bint Yasser Al Amriyyah from Al Uoon Basic Education School in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate.
In the second level, the top 3 places were won respectively by student Ashloom bint Masoud Al Kathiriyah from Ghadu Basic Education School in Dhofar Governorate, student Amwaj bint Yusuf Al Shuhhiyah from Lima Basic Education School in Musandam Governorate, and student Meera bint Zahir Al Sabbariyyah from Asilah bint Qais Al Busaidi Basic Education School in Muscat Governorate.
In the third level, first place was won by student Al Haitham bin Hilal Al Hamami from Miss Basic Education School in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. Second place was secured by student Malak bint Ahmed Al Shuailliyah from Al Ibda’a International Private School in Muscat Governorate, while third place went to student Tasneem bint Salim Al Shibliyyah from Samad Basic Education School in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate.
The ceremony programme also included a visual presentation documenting the journey of the competition in its 14th edition, from its launch through to its final stages.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Excellency the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, patron of the event, honored the top 10 winners in each level of the competition.