Dubai Duty Free announced a donation of AED 3 million to the Ramadan Reading Nation campaign, an initiative that seeks to distribute five million books to children living in refugee camps and underserved schools around the world. Launched under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the campaign aims to promote literacy, education and compassion during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said the contribution reflects the organization’s long-standing commitment to social responsibility and global humanitarian outreach. “This first-of-its-kind Ramadan campaign complements previous initiatives launched by His Highness over the years and sends a message of benevolence and peace from the United Arab Emirates during the Holy Month of Ramadan. We are honored to partner with his campaign as part of our commitment to supporting efforts that reach those most in need, wherever they live,” he said.
The campaign runs through the 19th day of Ramadan, which is observed as Emirati Humanitarian Work Day, and focuses on three primary distribution goals. About two million books will be supplied to refugee camps where access to educational materials is limited. Another two million books will be placed in 2,000 newly established Islamic libraries across multiple countries, increasing access to culturally relevant reading material for children and families. The final one million books will support the foreign education programs organized by the Emirati Humanitarian Organisation, ensuring resources reach schools and communities that lack sufficient learning materials.
By concentrating on refugee camps, newly built libraries and established education programs, the Ramadan Reading Nation campaign targets varied environments where books can have a lasting impact: early childhood development, literacy improvement, and community education. Providing books to refugee children helps maintain continuity in learning during displacement, and equipping community libraries supports long-term educational resilience. The effort also reinforces the UAE’s broader humanitarian mission to foster knowledge-sharing and cultural understanding across borders.
Dubai Duty Free’s donation forms part of a wider pattern of corporate philanthropy tied to the campaign, drawing attention to the importance of reading and education as tools for empowerment. By aligning charitable giving with a month that emphasizes giving and reflection, the initiative seeks both immediate relief—through the physical distribution of books—and sustained benefit, by cultivating reading habits that support academic progress and personal growth.
The campaign’s distribution plan is designed for efficiency and reach. Books destined for refugee camps will be allocated to locations with demonstrated need and coordinated through humanitarian partners on the ground to ensure timely delivery and appropriate selection of age- and language-appropriate materials. The libraries receiving books will be newly established Islamic community libraries intended to become local hubs for learning. The Emirati Humanitarian Organisation’s foreign education program will receive materials tailored to curricula and classroom needs in partner countries, enabling teachers and students to integrate new resources into regular instruction.
Community leaders and educators involved in similar initiatives emphasize that reading materials are essential for building literacy foundations and promoting inclusive education. When children have access to books that reflect their language and culture, engagement and comprehension improve, helping to close gaps that arise from limited school resources. In refugee settings, books also provide a sense of stability and normalcy for young learners amid challenging circumstances.
Dubai Duty Free’s participation in Ramadan Reading Nation highlights the role that private-sector organizations can play in supporting public and humanitarian goals. Contributions like this aim not only to distribute physical resources but also to inspire further partnerships and donations that amplify the campaign’s reach. Through coordinated efforts among government leaders, humanitarian groups and private donors, initiatives of this scale can provide meaningful educational opportunities to millions of children worldwide.