TAIF Saudi Arabia on Tuesday bid farewell to one of its notable educators who had a big role in molding the countrys future rulers.
Eisa Al-Dhabbagh had contributed to the education of generations, including a number of kings and princes.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Dhabbagh said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his predecessor King Fahd received their early education at the hands of his father in Riyadhs Al-Anjal School. He had taught several other members of the royal family.
Eisa Al-Dhabbagh was admitted to King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital two months ago. He died at the age of 98. He was buried at Al-Abbas graveyard in Taif.
Al-Dhabbagh had nine children, and two of his daughters had died before him.
After returning from Riyadh, he taught at government schools in Taif. He was then promoted to head the Military Education Directorate. He later worked in the Ministry of Finance before his retirement from the public service.
Eisa Al-Dhabbagh was born near the Grand Mosque in Makkah in 1915. He lost his father at an early age, and was raised by his older brother Hasan and his fathers cousin Mohammad Al-Dhabbagh.
Al-Dhabbagh received his early education in Makkah and became a teacher at the age of 16.
Al-Dhabbagh left the Kingdom for Mukalla city in Hadramout to continue his education in a school that his brother had established.
Years later, Al-Dhabbagh sought the permission of King Abdulaziz to return home. The King allowed him to return, and appointed him to teach his children.
Abdullah Al-Dhabbagh said his father admired the way in which King Abdulaziz ran the country. He said his father used to exercise and walk daily, and had never driven a car.
Al-Dhabbagh has left behind a library containing nearly three thousand books.
