(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, Sept. 29 (Petra) – Jordanians set a new record during the "Reading Marathon" organized on Monday by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation (AHSF) across its library branches and dozens of sites nationwide under the slogan "Jordan Reads."
According to an AHSF statement, Chair of the Senate Culture, Youth and Sports Committee Haifa Najjar and the foundation's CEO Valentina Qussisiya announced at the closing ceremony that participants read a total of 23,068,561 pages from books across various fields of knowledge. More than one million people from across the kingdom took part.
The "Reading Marathon" coincided with the National Reading Day observed annually on Sept. 29 and aligned with the launch of the National Reading Strategy, endorsed by the Senate Culture, Youth and Sports Committee under the title "Towards a Reading Jordan."
Najjar stressed the importance of reading for the growth and progress of nations, saying it develops individual character and critical thinking, while also fostering self-discovery and understanding of others. She underscored the family's role in nurturing the reading habit among children by providing an encouraging environment, serving as role models, setting aside time for shared reading, and creating home libraries.
Qussisiya said the marathon aims to promote reading, build reading communities, and introduce readers to new books in an atmosphere of learning and enjoyment, cementing role of AHSF's Library in cultivating culture and making reading an integral part of people's lives. She noted the marathon is growing each year, reaching new locations and expanding partnerships.
She reaffirmed the foundation's commitment to raising reading levels in Jordan through purposeful programs targeting all segments of society.
Acting Library Director Nizar Al-Hmoud said the foundation worked with partners to ensure the marathon's success by creating suitable conditions in line with international standards for such events, including lighting, comfortable spaces, logistical support and technological services.
He added that the marathon's message was spread through various means, including a special studio that hosted writers, intellectuals and library patrons to discuss the importance of reading.
Guests included Najjar, Al-Balad Theater Director Raed Asfour, Acting Director of the Private Education Department at the Ministry of Education Mohammad Rahamneh, journalist Farah Yaghmour, author Dima Al-Alami, "Sowt" Network Executive Director Aya Azzam, and writer Osama Al-Shajrawi.
The marathon also featured numerous programs and activities. This year it was organized in cooperation with the Ministries of Education, Culture and Youth, the Greater Amman Municipality, and more than 90 cultural, youth and literary institutions.

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