RIYADH. In an age of disruptive technologies and fleeting distractions, hundreds of schoolchildren made history by powerfully reaffirming that books still matter and words continue to shape the world. On Friday, the Saudi capital witnessed the simultaneous launch of 500 books authored by students of Alif International School. This remarkable literary milestone that captured global attention was held as part of the Largest Creative Writing Lesson session.
The landmark achievement earned the students a place in the Guinness World Records during an impressive ceremony titled “Book Bloom 500.” The event was attended by prominent members of the Saudi and expatriate communities, along with parents and teachers. Renowned Saudi media doyen Khaled Almaeena, the chief guest, congratulated the young authors and expressed hope that many of them would grow into great writers who contribute meaningfully to shaping the world and advancing the humanity. He also reminded parents and teachers of their vital responsibility in nurturing children to achieve holistic development.
The little authors were visibly cheerful and delighted as dignitaries unveiled their books one after another. Their radiant smiles reflected the joy and pride of setting a world record through their journey as published authors.
Sheikh Ali Abdurahman, chairman of the Alif Group of Schools, lauded the extraordinary teamwork that made this historic accomplishment possible. In his address, Hassan Cheruppa, editor of Saudi Gazette, praised the Book Bloom 500 initiative, noting that it highlights the monumental role of education in holistic development—fostering the flowering of young souls rather than merely filling minds through spoon-feeding.
Luqman Ahmed, CEO of the Alif Group of Schools, briefed the audience on the year-long, Herculean efforts undertaken by school authorities, teachers, and parents to realize this remarkable feat. “Our intensive and dedicated teamwork has been instrumental in nurturing new writers and authors, following relentless efforts to instill a reading habit among all 1,300 students of the school without exception, eventually guiding more than one-third of them into the world of authorship,” he said. He added that this resulted in the publication of numerous books across diverse subjects in English, Arabic, and five other languages.
Principal Mohammed Mustafa highlighted the school’s dream project of introducing students to the magical world of reading while pursuing its noble mission of transforming education into a joyful journey under the motto, “A school with a smile.” “We introduced the ‘Read and Rejoice’ program as part of co-curricular activities to bring students closer to stories and help them embrace books as companions in sharpening their thinking, enriching their language, calming their minds, and enhancing their emotional intelligence,” he said.
The colorful ceremony was further enlivened by mesmerizing performances from tiny tots, which captivated the audience. The event also included the honoring of winners of speech competitions held over a period of more than six months. School Administrator Ali Bukhari and Headmaster Noushad Nalakath were among the key officials who ensured the smooth and successful conduct of the Book Bloom event.
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