THE 19th century English novelist, Anthony Trollope, wrote, “The habit of reading is the only enjoyment in which there is no alloy; it lasts when all other pleasures fade.” But, unfortunately, this is not the case with young Saudis, who can hardly ever be seen reading a book or newspaper in public. The lack of reading among the young has been noticed by many, and steps have been taken to cultivate the reading habit. A book fair held in Riyadh recently was attended by the young and old alike. Atif Aliuddin, 17, said, “I think reading is better than wasting my time on computers and TV. I read 1-2 books a month. I have other activities as well, but I love reading because when I read, I feel relaxed in an imaginary world. I learn a lot, and find myself becoming more analytical.” Noora Ali, 20, said, “I never read much when I was young, but I always felt that I should read more. So, I began reading by setting time limits. Now, I read around two hours every day. Reading opens the mind and increases the ability to reason.” Mrs. Bint ul Hassan, a teacher at the Pakistan International School in Jeddah, said, “Reading is an activity that is both fun and enlightening, enabling us to be more knowledgeable and successful.” She added, “A good book can be hugely satisfying, can teach about things beyond one's daily horizons.” Mrs. Hassan said that to cultivate the reading habit one should begin by reading books that suit one's taste. One should always carry books around when going out. Psychologists believe that the lack of reading in Saudi society is due to the source of entertainment among youngsters being limited to television, music, and sports. Dr. Abdul Azim Khan, a psychologist, said, “Reading is more important today than ever. With the dramatic growth of technology (i.e., television, internet, etc.), cultivating a sense of appreciation for the arts is essential in bringing up a child in any society.” Dr. Khan added, “Reading not only improves language and communication skills, but also gives children the means to express themselves when actions fail. The idle mind is the devil's workshop, and reading good literature is an excellent antidote to idleness. Reading allows children to see things from different perspectives and learn about countless things; it is productive and relatively safe entertainment.” Dr. Khan expressed his concerns about the reading habits in the Kingdom by comparing them with western society. “In Saudi Arabia, youngsters are not as readily exposed to reading material as in the West,” he said. “Since illiteracy is prevalent in the Middle East, most parents consider it a waste of time and insignificant and pass this concept on to their children, and thus the cycle continues.” The following are a few tips from Dr. Khan which can be helpful in cultivating good reading habits: 1. The first 5-10 years of a child's life are crucial in instilling basic principles and rules, such as, discipline, table manners, behavior, etc. Since at this stage children are the most easily influenced and molded, parents must take the initiative and ensure that their children learn the importance of reading. 2. Parents should make books and reading material readily available for children; bedtime stories and group reading are an enjoyable and useful method of inculcating the joy and importance of reading. This habit should be encouraged throughout the years and proper support and backup should be given by the child's school. 3. Book clubs should be formed to encourage and nourish good reading habits. 4. If one lacks the patience to read an entire book, then reading any informative piece can be just as good. The important thing is to read something, to keep oneself involved in the reading process. Dr. Khan said, “If reading material is regulated properly, then reading might be a key factor in eradicating social evils and dispelling misconceptions.” – SG __
