Amman, January 8 —Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation’s Knowledge Path Library honored the winners of the 2025 “16 Before 16” reading competition during a ceremony held on Thursday evening. The competition targets children and adolescents aged: 7–11 and 12–16.
Six winners were selected from among 21 finalists representing different governorates across Jordan. In the 7–11 age category, first place was awarded to Rahma Mohammed Al-Omairin, second place to Ilham Ali Al-Sharif, and third place to Julie Hikmat Abdel Rahman.
In the 12–16 category, first place went to Lynn Mohammed Daghash, followed by Lamar Bilal Hammoud in second place and Salma Abdulrahman Al-Saadi in third.
The “16 Before 16” competition encourages young readers to explore a diverse range of books and develop a lifelong reading habit. Participants are required to read 16 books from a designated list and summarize each book in a competition booklet. Submissions are first evaluated by an internal committee, after which shortlisted participants proceed to an interview stage where their summaries and reading experiences are discussed before final winners are selected.
During the ceremony, the Foundation’s CEO, Valentina Kassisieh, congratulated the winners and expressed pride in their achievements. She emphasized the importance of nurturing a reading culture among children and adolescents, noting that reading plays a vital role in expanding knowledge, developing critical thinking, and helping young people view the world from different perspectives.
Kassisieh also highlighted the role of families in fostering reading habits, encouraging parents to dedicate time to reading with their children, as this strengthens family bonds, builds trust, and supports children’s growth and development.
At the end of the ceremony, Kassisieh presented certificates to the shortlisted participants, as well as prizes and certificates to the top three winners in each age category.
Launched in 2018 by Knowledge Path Library, the “16 Before 16” competition is an open reading initiative designed to encourage children and adolescents to engage with books, view the library as part of their daily lives, and explore a variety of topics through reading and creative expression.
The Knowledge Path Library, part of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, offers a free and dynamic space where children from diverse backgrounds can explore, learn, and develop their creativity through interactive reading and cultural activities.