The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a law to get people to read . The law includes a large number of to support the government's wish for a higher literacy . Government employees will have paid during working hours to read books. The law encourages companies to create libraries at their offices, factories and workplaces. It will also encourage shopping centres to offer spaces to set up libraries so people can read when they go shopping. These libraries will be to use for people with reading disabilities. Even coffee shops at shopping malls will have to offer books and other reading materials to their .
The UAE’s National Reading Law was issued by President Sheikh Khalifa. In May of this , he launched the National Strategy for Reading, which has a 10-year to create a nation of " readers". It aims to make reading a lifelong habit for 50 per cent of the nation's and 80 per cent of school students. It aims to get students to read an average of at least 20 a year. Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said the new law is: "A road for building a reading, civilised society of change, and a world leader in development." Dr Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University, said that in the of the Internet, it was still important for books and libraries to have their place in .
