Amman, February 16 — The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Library announced the winners of the 2025 “Safahat – Shoman Reading Competition.”
First place was awarded to Layan Jaafar Al Momani, followed by Huzaifa Firas Khalaf in second place and Jumana Grace Hijazin in third.
During the award ceremony, the Foundation’s CEO, Valentina Kassisieh, reaffirmed the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to promoting reading and establishing it as a lasting habit across all segments of society. She highlighted that the Foundation pursues this goal through diverse programs and events designed around creative ideas that move beyond traditional formats.
Kassisieh also emphasized the vital role reading plays in human development. She noted that reading expands knowledge, refines personal character, strengthens cognitive and language skills, and boosts self-confidence, ultimately encouraging creativity and innovation.
According to Acting Director of the Public Library Nizar Al Hmod, the competition aimed to encourage readers aged 16 and above to read five books over five months, each month focusing on a different selected topic. Participants were required to log the titles through the competition system and submit a written review after completing each book.
Al-Hmod explained that participation required an active library membership. Participants read five books in either Arabic or English and followed their progress through the reading competition platform on the Foundation’s website or via the Shoman mobile application. After completing the reading requirements, participants submitted their entries, which were first reviewed by a preliminary screening committee before being evaluated by a second judging panel.
Entries were scored out of 100 points to determine qualification for the final stage. The evaluation criteria included: relevance of the book to the assigned topic (10%), originality of the book selection (10%), quality and originality of the written review (50%), and the linguistic accuracy of the review—including grammar, spelling, and structure (30%). At the end of the ceremony, held at the Jabal Amman Public Library, Kassisieh presented prizes and certificates to the winners.