The distinguished educator, mentor, and businessman Jamil Yassin Fattani was a prominent figure in the field of education.

Mr. Jamil was the eldest son of Sheikh Yassin Mohammednour Fattani. He was born in the Al-Qashashiyah area of Makkah in 1936 AD (1355 AH). He completed his primary education at Al-Rahmaniyah Primary School, located near the Masaa (running area) and Bab Al-Salam (Peace Gate) of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. He earned his secondary school certificate from the Saudi Scientific Institute. Subsequently, he received a scholarship to study at Cairo University's Faculty of Arts, from which he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Arabic Language and Literature in 1959 AD (1378 AH).

Career and Educational Leadership
Following his graduation, Mr. Jamil applied to work at the Ministry of Education (formerly the Ministry of المعارف, Ma'aref), where he was appointed as a student activity supervisor in the Ministry’s Social Activity Department in Riyadh in 1959 AD (1379 AH). He later transferred to the Inspection Department, working in the Arabic Language section. His name gained recognition within the Ministry on several occasions.

In 1962 AD (1382 AH), he was sent to pursue postgraduate studies in Education and Student Counseling at the prestigious Columbia University in New York City, USA. During that period, the Minister of Education, Sheikh Hassan Al Sheikh, issued a decision appointing Mr. Jamil Yassin Fattani as the Director of Educational Affairs at the Cultural Attaché in the Kingdom's Embassy in the United States in 1964 AD (1384 AH). He then moved to his new post in the USA with his wife and their two daughters, Iman and Amal.

Upon returning to Saudi Arabia, the government entrusted him with the role of the first director of Riyadh Schools, an elite, non-profit institution that enrolled the children of princes and other senior figures. The honorary school director at the time was Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Riyadh Schools encompassed all educational stages—primary, intermediate, and secondary—following the latest educational systems and modern pedagogical principles in form and content, all aligned with Islamic Sharia. Riyadh Schools earned the trust and satisfaction of the Ministry of Education, parents, and students. Mr. Jamil Yassin Fattani continued his successful administration of the schools for six years, fostering generations who would later lead the country.

Transition to Private Sector and Entrepreneurship
After his tenure in formal education, Mr. Jamil shifted to the private sector. He established an institute for teaching English and other languages. He contracted with European teachers to teach English, set up the institute's headquarters in the center of Riyadh, and equipped it with modern tools and language labs, which attracted many students.

Mr. Jamil Fattani crowned the institute's success by publishing translation books from Arabic into European languages, including English, German, French, and Italian. These books, compiled with the help of the institute's teachers and other native speakers, contained over 150 pages of content across different languages. Large quantities were printed and distributed to commercial libraries, becoming popular among students and travel enthusiasts, as they included translations for a wide range of scientific, social, and everyday/tourism-related vocabulary.

Continuing his dedication to innovation, Mr. Jamil also ventured into trading various technologies, such as computers and tracking devices (e.g., for falcons). His remarkable ambitions didn't stop there; he decided to support his daughter, Dr. Iman, who had graduated from dentistry and was working as a lecturer. Her mother opened a private dental clinic for her, and her father established a commercial enterprise to sell medical tools and supplies, personally overseeing the importation of various medical equipment.

Family Life and Passing
Mr. Jamil Yassin Fattani had five children: Dr. Iman, a dentist; Dr. Amal, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology; Hiba, a media and public relations expert; Fahad, a specialist in quality of life; and the youngest son, Yassin, who studied culinary arts in Spain and currently works as a chef at a restaurant in Turkey.

He retired from his commercial and educational work due to declining health and the ailments of old age. He remained under the care of his children until his passing on Thursday, September 18, 2014 AD (23/11/1435 AH). He was buried in Riyadh's cemeteries, having lived a life full of struggle, success, and service to his nation.

May God have mercy on you, Mr. Jamil Yassin Fattani, and gather us with you in His mercy at the basin of His Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

With regards,
Mr. Kamel Fattani
November 2, 2022 AD (08/04/1444 AH)