Mosul teen to represent Iraq in Arab Reading Challenge finals

MOSUL — Fourteen-year-old student Aisha Nizar, winner of Iraq’s Reading Challenge, is preparing to represent the country at the Arab finals in the United Arab Emirates in two months.

Aisha, a second-year student at Zaha Hadid Secondary School for Distinguished Girls, is known for her speed reading and recitation skills. She said she can finish a 100-page book in two hours and began memorizing the Quran at age 6. “I can memorize a full part in a day or two,” she said, noting she has memorized six parts so far, including the first and last, as well as surahs such as Maryam, Yusuf, Al-Kahf, Ibrahim, Ya-Sin, and Ar-Rahman.

“I started in speech and recitation in the third grade when I began memorizing the Quran, and I used to present songs and words on stage,” she told 964media. “I discovered that I can memorize quickly and understand better than just memorizing. I started reading at the age of 10, and the book that influenced me the most was Letters from the Quran by Adham Sharkawi.”

Reflecting on her journey, Aisha said: “When I faced the Arab Reading Challenge I realized I was not alone, but there were 1.3 million readers in Iraq participating with me. My ambition is to win the competition in the Emirates.”

Her teachers praised her talent. “Aisha is distinguished in recitation during school activities and flag-raising ceremonies, and we provide her the space to express herself and show her talent,” said principal Hiba al-Khashab. “Despite her young age, Aisha has talent and a strong personality that allowed her to win the Reading Challenge. We did not expect her to achieve the title at the Iraq level, and we hope she will win the title of Reader of the Arab World.”

Baidaa Hikmat, a school activities official, recalled her first impressions. “When Aisha came for the interview, she had read only 20 books and had not yet met the requirement of 50 diverse books, but she answered with high confidence,” she said. “The interview included questions about books, their messages, authors, and local landmarks. The Emirati committee expected Aisha to be the champion of the Arab world in reading.”