JEDDAH — Family, friends and former colleagues mourned the death of the former editor in chief of Saudi Gazette Dr. Muhammed Al Shoukany on Thursday. Al Shoukany died here after a prolonged illness. He was 64, and leaves two sons and three daughters. "It is a very sad day for us at Saudi Gazette and for all those who knew Al Shoukany as a friend and colleague," Jameel Altheyabi, Editor-in-Chief of Okaz and General Supervisor of Saudi Gazette Editorial, said. "We extend our sympathies to his family and loved ones and offer our full support, thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time for them." A soft-spoken man, Al Shoukany was an avid reader and if anyone went into his office for information, he would often hand them a book and tell them the answers were there. He was a sharp-eyed editor and a benevolent manager with super people skills, according to his colleagues and staff. Al Shoukany was born in Rijal Almaa village in the Asir region in 1955. The son of Nasser Al Shoukany, Mohammed graduated with a BA degree in English literature in Jeddah. He then went to the US, where he earned a Master's degree in English literature in 1982 from the University of California. He then earned his Ph.D. in English Literature with an excellent grade for a thesis titled 'Orientalism and Arab Literary Responses' which was been nominated as the best thesis in Texas University in 1990. Apart from his love for teaching, he had a singular affection for journalism. And he dabbled in both the fields and excelled in it. He was a key player in the transformation of Saudi Gazette during the late 90s, when he as deputy editor in chief to Dr. Ahmed Alyusuf. In this capacity he visited many international publications — USA Today, The New York Times, Newsweek, Le Monde, and many others. He worked as an assistant professor at King Abdulaziz University in the College of Literature. He translated many books during his tenure and one of the famous one was the 'Routes: Travel and Translation in the Late Twentieth Century' by James Clifford. He took over as Saudi Gazette Editor in Chief in 2006 after Dr. Ahmed Alyusuf resigned from the position. Al Shoukany seamlessly carried forward Dr. Ahmed's legacy and continued the journey in keeping Saudi Gazette as the tone of moderation and truth until 2010. He then want back to his college desk doing what he liked the most, passing on his knowledge to the young generation.
