A seven-year-old pupil in Al Ain has started a free library with his collection of 500 books to motivate children to read
Ayaan Tariq, who is in the third grade, hopes to reduce screen time among his peers by fostering a love of reading.
He set up the library for the children in his district in January, and more than 100 people have borrowed books.
“I love books and started reading when I was three years old,” he said.
“I started this library six months ago because I wanted others to enjoy reading and did not want them to stare at screens all day.”
Ayaan has invited children aged four to 13 to visit his library.
“I made sure my library was free because if people had to pay, they would think I was doing this for money,” he said.
“Some of my friends and neighbours come over and at least 15 children borrow books every month.”
Ayaan also enjoys recommending books to others.
His father passed on his reading habit to Ayaan and his mother bought him books.
Ayaan started reading activity books but graduated to fiction.
The pupil at Brighton College Al Ain has amassed his collection over many years and has books suited to children aged four to 13.
Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry books and Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants tales are among his favourites.
He also enjoys books for advanced readers, including those by David Walliams.
The family converted a room outside their home into a library, and Ayaan maintains a record when lending books.
He follows Covid-19 safety measures and children have to wear masks and gloves at the library.
Books are disinfected after each use and children are asked to sanitise their hands when they come over to borrow a book.
“One day, I was buying a book for Ayaan and the shopkeeper asked me if I had an older child I was purchasing the book for,” said his mother, Moomal Tariq, a doctoral student at UAE University.
“When I told him it was for my seven-year-old son, he said it was meant for older children. When he heard Ayaan read, he was surprised.
“I realised that his literacy skills were advanced for his age and invested in books for him.”
When the family travels home to Pakistan, they carry bags full of books for Ayaan.
“Our message to people is that children should not be glued to screens,” Ms Tariq said.
“Children should be introduced to books as early as possible.
“Whenever we travel somewhere, we don’t give Ayaan any gadgets.
“Give your children books so they can be introduced to different worlds every day.”
She said Ayaan’s principal, Jonathan McArthur, and other teachers encouraged him to read by giving him new books every week.
Ayaan’s father, Dr Tariq Farhad, a family doctor in Al Ain, said his son had finished the prescribed reading for Grade 3 and was already on fourth-grade books.
Ayaan is working on publishing his detective comic and aims to be an author or a painter when he grows up.
The pupil won the story-writing competition at Sharjah Book Festival in 2019, receiving the prize of Dh3,000.
He has a variety of fiction, non-fiction and Islamic books in his collection.
Daisy, the Quest Adventures collection and books from the How to Train your Dragon, Big Nate and Mr Gum series are among the titles on the shelves.
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
The biogs
Name: Zinah Madi
Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and links
Nationality: Syrian
Family: Married, Mother of Tala, 18, Sharif, 14, Kareem, 2
Favourite Quote: “There is only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything.”
Name: Razan Nabulsi
Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and Links
Nationality: Jordanian
Family: Married, Mother of Yahya, 3.5
Favourite Quote: A Chinese proverb that says: “Be not afraid of moving slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”
