The revered educator Faisal Yahya Fatani started as a young language teacher teaching Arabic Language at the Al-Rahmaniah Secondary School in Makkah.
He was known as a dedicated teacher exploiting his creative talent and competency for advancing the techniques of teaching the Arabic Language.
He would always be available to assist his colleagues and the administration as an active team-player in developing the advancement of the study in Arabic Language in schools. This had earned him respect from all his students.
Personally he had a very pleasant and amicable personality that fitted well with family members and his neighbors.
He was the fourth son of Sheikh Yahya Abdullah Fatani, a great grandson of Sheikh Mohammed Ismail Fatani, born in the Grand House of the Family in Al-qushashia Zag'aq Al-Khardafushi neighborhood near the Grand Mosque in Makkah in 1935 (1353 AH).
He received primary and secondary education at Al-Falah School in Makkah and received his high school certificate from the Saudi Institute in Mecca. He continued his university education at Teachers Training College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1958 (1377 AH).
In 1961 (1382 AH), he received his diploma in education from the American University of Beirut (Lebanon). Here he met a few fellow scholars such as Mohsen Barom, Adviser to the Minister of Education, Professor Abdul Karim Al-Sanaa, a member of the Ulamak, Dr. Abdulwahab Abu Sulaiman and Professor Abdullah Boukis, Undersecretary to the Ministry of Hajj.
After graduating he worked for a short period in broadcasting on Saudi Radio when it was established in 1962 (1383 AH).
In pursuit of his great passion in teaching, he returned to the AlRahmaniah School in Makkah to fulfill his wish and prove his skill as an effective language teacher, teaching Arabic Literature and Literary Programmes until he became a reputable senior teacher.
He then was posted to King AbdelAziz High School, the first high school established under the rule of King AbdelAziz. The school moved to the new neighbourhood of Al Aziziyah.
Faisal Fatani spent 19 years developing and achieving high standards in the teaching profession. He received special recognition from the Director, Professor Mohammed Suleiman Al Shebeel.
He was also appointed as an inspector of the Arabic Language Education Programmes in the region and made regular visits to Qassim, Hail and Rabigh.. He was at that time based in Riyadh at the Ministry of Education. When Saudi – Malaysian government to government cultural exchange programme was started, he was selected as the most appropriate and competent professional in the field of teaching Arabic Language to be posted to Malaysia for 4 years starting from 1971 (1391 AH).
He was posted initially to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
His Excellency The Saudi Embassador Mohammed Hamad Al-Shabaili met Faisal in Kuala Lumpur. The Ambassador was impressed by his personality and his established reputation with Malaysian government entities. In addition his proficiency in the Malay Language and the local culture was useful to the Embassador. Clearly he was an asset which exceeded his teaching profession, they remained close friends.
Later Faisal was posted to The Al Mansor School on the island of Penang.
Everything was going so well for Faisal when suddenly something unexpected happened.
In 1979, (on 2/7/1399 AH), at the age of 44, Faisal succumbed to a sudden heart attack and died instantly. Embassy officials made all the arrangement to fly the body accompanied by the grieving family members back to Saudi.
In Jeddah, the body was received by his brothers and sisters and family members who were shocked of his sudden demise, with sadness and sorrow. He was buried at the cemetery of Alma’la in Makkah Almukkaramah. May Allah bless with His Mercy upon Faisal Yahya Fatani who left behind his wife, son Fahad, Emad and three daughters while serving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a very young age.
best regard Kamil M Fatani
14/4/1444 Hijry