Tunisian twin sisters win Arab reading champion title

12-YEAR-OLDS STOOD OUT FOR THEIR ELOQUENCE AND COMPREHENSION

- BY AALIYA ALZAROONI

Baisan and Baylsan Koka read 600 books.

(Virendra Saklani/Gulf News)

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday honoured the winners of the 2025 Arab Reading Challenge during a grand ceremony celebrating a record number of participants across the Arab world.

Taking centre stage were 12-year-old twins Baisan and Baylsan Koka from Tunisia, who claimed the title of Arab reading champion for reading 600 books and dazzling the audience with their eloquence and comprehension.

Baisan enjoys playing the oud and hopes to become a doctor, while Baylsan, who plays the violin, dreams of becoming a robotics engineer.

Mohammad Jasmin from Bahrain claimed the second-place prize in a moment of pride and celebration, while Maryam Mohammad Shamkh from Mauritania was awarded third place, accepting her accolade with tears of joy that moved the entire audience.