Emirati teenager delivers thousands of books to Dubai school in need

A new library at the Al Arqam Private School, in Al Barsha, is to house the variety of books given by Ali Hassani, 17, who amassed the collection after he heard about the school’s lack of resources.

Dubai American Academy pupil Ali Hassani with some of the titles collected in a book drive he organised to help stock the new library at Al Arqam Private School in Al Barsha. The books will benefit abShow more

DUBAI // An Al Barsha school has taken delivery of thousands of used books following a collection campaign organised by an Emirati teenager.

A new library at Al Arqam Private School will house the assorted titles donated by Ali Hassani who amassed the collection after he heard about the school’s lack of resources.

“I wanted to do something to help because the few books that the school did have they themselves donated to a girls’ school,” said the 17-year-old Dubai American Academy pupil.

“The school is really excited about getting the books and it’s great that we are delivering them where they will be read by pupil and staff alike.”

Al Arqam principal Amjad Al Jubr said the school was pleased to receive the books and praised Ali’s initiative in supporting the community.

“It’s wonderful because the pupils will have some new resources they can use,” he said. “Ali’s hard work has also become an inspiration to our pupils here and has shown them they too can make a positive impact within the community.”

The timing of the donated books coincides with an ongoing expansion of the school’s campus. The work is expected to be completed by January but, in the meantime, the donated books will be placed in the school’s older building.

“There are more than 2,500 books being donated by Ali and it’s going to make a big difference to our pupils,” Mr Al Jubr said.

The school is run by the Ministry of Education and has an enrolment of about 1,000 pupils aged four to 18. About 72 per cent are Emirati with the rest from other Arab countries.

“We need to raise the level of literacy, not just in the UAE but in the Arab world in general. These kinds of initiatives can help to do that,” Mr Al Jubr said.

With the donation delivered to the school, pupils could not wait to open up the boxes to see what they will soon be able to read.

“I prefer reading fiction and can’t wait so see what kind of books we have now,” Hazem Azeem said.

“We didn’t have that much of a choice before but now I think there will be something everyone will be interested in.”

Of particular interest to the 18-year-old Egyptian was reading Shakespeare. “It’s really important that we learn more about other cultures and traditions because it provides us with a better understanding of the world.”

Such views were echoed by fellow Egyptian Ahmed Omar, who also shared a passion for The Bard. “I prefer novels and like to read about things that help to understand other cultures,” he said.

Ali thought up the idea to collect the books after becoming the UAE ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation. Many were donated by pupils at his school, as well as friends and family.

“The work he’s done has been a real inspiration to the pupils at our school,” said Scott Schaffer, Dubai American Academy principal. “He spoke with the heads of our schools, as well as in assemblies to get pupils on board, and the response has been fantastic.”