Gulf University Represents Bahrain for the First Time in the Fifth Edition of the “Iqra” Marathon, Uniting 54 Arab Libraries Across 14 Countries

Gulf University joins the 5th Iqra Marathon, representing Bahrain for the first time among 54 Arab libraries promoting reading and sustainability.

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), an initiative of Saudi Aramco, has launched the fifth edition of the “Iqra” Marathon in collaboration with the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information and environmental partners. The marathon will take place from February 5–7, 2026, bringing together 54 libraries from 14 Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Palestine, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria.

This year’s edition marks an unprecedented expansion, recording a 235% increase in participating libraries compared to last year. The growth reflects Ithra’s ongoing commitment to promoting reading as a fundamental pillar of knowledge and community development.

Mr. Abdullah Al-Hawas, Head of Ithra Library, emphasized that the Center places significant importance on reading, having adopted it as a central cause for the next five years. He also highlighted the launch of the Arab Reading Index, which monitors reading trends across Arab countries. Al-Hawas described the “Iqra” Marathon as one of Ithra’s flagship initiatives, rooted in the firm belief that reading is the primary gateway to knowledge. The marathon’s continuity for a fifth consecutive year, he noted, serves as a catalyst for expanding participation locally and regionally while strengthening its long-term impact.

He added that the Center’s vision becomes clearer with each new edition, contributing to enhanced quality and broader community engagement. This year’s marathon also opened participation to digital platforms and online libraries. Out of 74 registered libraries, 54 from 14 Arab countries were selected—compared to just 17 libraries in the previous edition.

Mr. Yousef Alsheikh, Head of the Library at Gulf University, stated that the University Library’s participation represents the first-ever representation of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the “Iqra” Marathon. He noted that this step aligns with the library’s ongoing efforts to promote a culture of reading within the community. He dedicated this participation to readers and advocates who believe in the transformative role of libraries and invited readers across Bahrain to take part, affirming that the University Library will be open to all.

The “Iqra” Marathon carries a socially and environmentally sustainable message: one tree is planted for every 100 pages read, symbolically linking the cultivation of enlightened minds with the revival of the earth through afforestation. Previous editions have resulted in the planting of more than 20,000 trees and the reading of over 2.3 million pages, establishing the marathon as a cultural and intellectual gathering that unites reading enthusiasts in a knowledge-driven race benefiting youth and society.

Keywords: Iqra Marathon 2026, Gulf University Bahrain participation, Arab libraries initiative, reading and sustainability campaign, Ithra cultural programs