Amman, September 29 – Jordanians set a new record during the “Reading Marathon” organized by Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation on Monday across the foundation’s libraries and dozens of sites nationwide under the theme “Jordan Reads.”

At the closing of the marathon, Haifa Al-Najjar, Senate Chair of the Culture, Youth, and Sports Committee, and Valentina Kassisieh, the Foundation’s CEO, announced that participants from across the country—over one million in total—read 23,068,561 pages from a wide variety of books.

The Reading Marathon coincides with the National Reading Day on September 29 each year and aligns with the “Towards a Reading Jordan” national reading strategy adopted by the Senate’s Culture, Youth, and Sports Committee in 2025.

Al-Najjar emphasized the importance of reading in the growth and progress of societies, noting that it develops individual personality, analytical and critical thinking skills, self-discovery, and understanding of others. She highlighted the family’s role in fostering reading habits by providing a supportive environment, acting as role models, setting aside time for shared reading, and creating home libraries to nurture a generation of readers.

Kassisieh explained that the marathon aims to promote reading, create reading communities, introduce new books, and provide a fun, educational experience. She noted the event has grown each year, reaching new locations and expanding partnerships across the country. The record achieved this year reflects the collective efforts of the Foundation and its partners. She reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to increasing reading rates in Jordan through targeted programs for all segments of society.

Acting Library Director Nizar Al-Hmoud added that the Foundation and its partners ensured a successful marathon by providing suitable spaces, lighting, logistics, and technology according to international standards. The event included a “Marathon Studio,” hosting writers, intellectuals, and cultural figures such as Haifa Al-Najjar, Raed Asfour, Dr. Mohammed Al-Rahmneh, Farah Yaghmour, Dima Al-Alami, Aya Azzam, and Osama Al-Shajrawi to discuss the importance of reading.

The marathon featured interactive programs and activities, organized in collaboration with the Ministries of Education, Culture, Youth, Greater Amman Municipality, and over 90 cultural, literary, and youth organizations.

Abdul Hameed Shoman Library continually develops interactive knowledge programs to provide learning in new ways. Launched in 2020, the Reading Marathon is an annual cultural event promoting collective, interactive reading. Last year, participants read over 10 million pages in cooperation with more than forty cultural and literary organizations across Jordan.

Globally, reading marathons encourage group reading through partnerships, activities, and interactive formats—such as cultural games, book signings, story readings, and book clubs—to keep participants engaged and motivated.