She wants young readers to experience the knowledge, inspiration, and joy that books have given her.
A Mission to Make Reading Matter
In a world dominated by social media feeds, short-form videos, and constant digital distractions, one Dubai student is working to remind young people of the power of books.
Fatima Rida, an 18-year-old marketing student at Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, has been selected as the UAE’s 2026 Youth Literacy Ambassador by the World Literacy Foundation. The appointment places her among more than 900 youth leaders from 101 countries working to address literacy challenges and promote reading among younger generations.
For Rida, however, the role is not simply about campaigns, statistics, or advocacy initiatives. It is deeply personal.
“Reading has honestly played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned haven’t come from a classroom. They’ve come from books,” Rida told Gulf News.
How Books Shaped Her Perspective
Rida’s relationship with reading began long before she became a literacy ambassador.
Over the years, books introduced her to new cultures, different perspectives, and ideas she might never have encountered through everyday life. They helped her understand people beyond her own experiences and challenged her to think differently about the world around her.
That personal transformation inspired her to apply for the ambassador role.
“I know firsthand how powerful literacy can be, and I wanted to be part of something that helps more people discover that for themselves,” she said.
Being selected as the UAE’s representative allows her to champion a cause that has had a lasting impact on her own life.
A Global Literacy Challenge
Despite living in an era where information is available at the touch of a screen, literacy remains a major global challenge.
According to the World Literacy Foundation, around 770 million people worldwide cannot read a single word, while another two billion struggle to read a simple sentence.
For Rida, one of the biggest obstacles is access.
“Too many children are missing out on the joy of reading simply because they don’t have books at home. I want to help change that and show young people that reading can open doors,” she said.
She believes that improving literacy is about more than education. It is about creating opportunities, building confidence, and helping people reach their potential.
Why Books Still Matter
As digital entertainment continues to compete for attention, many young people view reading as an academic requirement rather than an enjoyable habit.
Rida wants to change that perception.
“I think access to books is still incredibly important because reading offers something that can’t really be replaced. Books help you learn, but they also help you understand people. They build empathy, encourage curiosity, and expose you to experiences and perspectives you might never encounter otherwise,” she explained.
She believes there is no right or wrong type of book to read. Whether someone enjoys fiction, fantasy, biographies, self-development books, history, or science, every book offers an opportunity to learn something new.
“If you truly connect with what you’re reading, you’ll always walk away having learned something new about the world or even about yourself,” she said.
A Blind Date With a Book
As part of her ambassadorial term, which runs from June to September 2026, Rida plans to launch a creative literacy initiative called Blind Date with a Book.
The concept encourages readers to choose books without knowing the title or author beforehand.
Each book is wrapped and labeled only with clues about its themes, lessons, characters, or storyline. Participants select a book based on curiosity rather than familiarity.
The initiative aims to encourage readers to step outside their usual preferences and discover books they may never have considered picking up.
“I think it’s a fun way to remind people that it doesn’t really matter what type of books you read. Every book has something valuable to offer,” she said.
For Rida, the project reflects a simple belief: some of the most meaningful books are often the ones readers least expect to enjoy.
Encouraging Young People to Start Small
One of the most common reasons people give for not reading is that they do not know where to begin.
Rida’s advice is straightforward.
“A lot of people assume reading has to start with a long classic novel, but it doesn’t. The best way to get into reading is to find something you’re genuinely interested in. When you enjoy what you’re reading, it stops feeling like a chore,” she explained.
She believes reading habits develop naturally when people connect with topics they genuinely care about rather than forcing themselves through books they feel obligated to read.
By sharing her own experiences, she hopes more young people will view reading as something enjoyable rather than something purely educational.
“Reading has helped me so much. It taught me lessons, introduced me to ideas I’d never considered, and helped me understand people and situations from different perspectives,” she said.
“If more people saw reading as something that enriches your life rather than just something you’re supposed to do, I think they’d be much more likely to pick up a book.”
Learning From a Global Network
As Youth Literacy Ambassador, Rida will collaborate with fellow ambassadors from around the world, exchanging ideas and learning from literacy initiatives implemented in different countries.
She is particularly excited about bringing successful concepts and approaches back to the UAE.
“Everyone will have their own experiences and ideas when it comes to promoting literacy, and I think there’s much value in learning from one another,” she said.
The opportunity allows her to contribute to a global conversation while developing local initiatives that can make a meaningful difference within the UAE.
More Than Just Reading
For Rida, literacy extends beyond encouraging people to read more books.
It is about ensuring that children have access to stories, ideas, and opportunities that can shape their futures. It is about helping young people discover perspectives that challenge them, inspire them, and help them better understand themselves and others.
“Literacy is something that connects all of us, and I believe that sharing knowledge and experiences is one of the best ways to create meaningful impact,” she said.
As she represents the UAE on the global stage, Rida hopes to inspire curiosity and a renewed appreciation for reading among young people.
Because behind every lifelong reader, she believes, is a single book that opened a door to new possibilities. Her mission is to help more young people find that book.
Read more news, and follow us on Instagram
