Mohammed Joharji
Mohammed Ismail Joharji (1937-2015) was a Saudi poet and author. He worked as a secondary school teacher and was later appointed the first principal of Ath-Thagher Model Secondary School in Jeddah Governorate. After leaving education, he devoted himself to private business. He published seven poetry collections and received several awards.
Education
Mohammed Joharji was born in Ash-Shubaikah Neighborhood in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, where he received his early education. He graduated from Al-Aziziyah Secondary School in Az-Zahir Neighborhood in 1959. After graduation, he enrolled in the Department of Arabic Language at King Saud University in Riyadh in 1960. The following year, he transferred to the College of Education in Makkah Al-Mukarramah when it opened in 1961.
Professional Career
In 1964, Mohammed Joharji was appointed a secondary school teacher at Ath-Thagher Model Schools in Jeddah. When the secondary section was separated from the intermediate section, he became the first principal of the secondary section in 1971. After leaving education, he devoted himself to private business.
Poetry
Mohammed Joharji began composing poetry at an early age while he was an intermediate school student. He published his poetry in Saudi and Arab literary magazines and local newspapers. In addition to writing poetry, he participated in the radio program The New Generation and delivered weekly educational talks titled In the Horizons of Education. He published seven poetry collections, including Ahlam As-Siba (Dreams of Youth) in 1960 and An-Nagham Adh-Dhami (The Thirsty Melody) in 1964. In 2012, he published his autobiography, Qabl An-Nisyan (Before Oblivion).
Awards
Mohammed Joharji received several honorary awards, including a commendation from the Abha Literary Club. He also received numerous certificates and was honored by several organizations, including Makkah Literary and Cultural Club and the Ministry of Culture and Information (currently the Ministry of Media). The ministry honored him at the 2007 Book Fair alongside fifteen poets. He was also honored by Abdul Maqsud Khojah's Monday Forum.