UAE, June 28, 2016 - The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced its participation in ‘Reading Nation,’ a Ramadan campaign launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to provide five million children’s books to be distributed at refugee camps and other schools around the world in dire need of books. The TRA will provide financial assistance and initiate activities to promote reading, among other relevant programmes.

The TRA has launched a set of initiatives including ‘Jawabi’, ‘Book of the Month’, ‘Reading Trophy’, ‘In the Presence of a Book’, ‘Customers’ Happiness Library’, “With Salim, We Read’, ‘Reading Year’ and ‘We Read Together’, in addition to honouring the smart readers at the TRA. H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori has recognized the smart reader who spends most of his time reading books in TRA’s smart library. The first award for the first half of 2016 was given to Mr. Mohammed Lari of the Legal Affairs Department.

TRA has organized the first cultural session of the initiative ‘In the Presence of a Book’ during a Ramadan evening gathering this month at the Cultural and Scientific Association in Dubai. Author Dr. Yousef Al Hassan presented a quick review of the content of his book ‘Identity, Tolerance and Cultural Dialogue Questions’ in the presence of various intellectuals, interested individuals and employees of the TRA. The discussion takes off from a current and timely topic which generated a lively interaction among participants to focus on the book’s major points. 

The authority participation supporting the campaign comes to confirm its corporate social responsibility role and following the initiative launched by H. H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which aims to distribute five million books to needy students in the refugee camps, through the provision of two million books for students and children in refugee camps, in addition to equipping libraries in two thousand schools in the Arab and Muslim world with 2 million books, and support educational programs carried out by the UAE's humanitarian institutions in the Arab and Muslim world by one million books.

H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, the TRA’s Director General, said: “The launching of such a huge humanitarian initiative is no longer unusual for our country as the UAE’s wise leadership has embedded humanitarianism along with the founding of our nation, to become the ambassador of good will for our country and other nations.” He noted that H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s initiatives strengthen the UAE’s role and leadership in providing welfare to nations in need while also spreading science and knowledge through tools and innovative facilities aimed at boosting the development of science and humanity. This is what the UAE is known for and has been doing since it has become a nation, he added.

“At the TRA, we believe that supporting the campaign is a major part of our corporate social responsibility. It serves millions of poor children who cannot find a source of learning to continue their education, build their future and promote the ability to face their difficult situation due to the various circumstances in their countries. The campaign also aims to support the educational organizations in Islamic societies by filling their libraries with more books to enable the children to become successful members of society. Enriching their education will enable them to harness their scientific abilities towards building societies and countries,” H.E. Al Mansoori explained.

The campaign has received wide coverage and positive responses through the media with various charitable activities being held to support the unique vision of the campaign, which is focused on the intellectual growth of millions of disadvantaged children worldwide.