In Memory of Dr Faysal Mikdadi

Commemorating the Loss of a Very Special Individual

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It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Dr Faysal Mikdadi on the 5th of August 2021.

Faysal was an extraordinary person, a brilliant academic, an inspirational teacher, a dearly cherished friend. He touched the heart of all who had the privilege of meeting him, and changed our lives for the better.

Not only was Faysal a previous Academic Director of The Thomas Hardy Society, he was a secondary school teacher of decades standing and an OfSted Inspector. He also ran a poetry group who, before the pandemic lockdowns, met regularly at Max Gate and other venues to share poetry and literary experiences. Faysal brought Hardy into numerous schools to students who would never have previously considered reading his works. Not only did he engage with these students individually, but he inspired them, and stories abound of students who had once been non-communicative, or experienced behavioural problems or learning difficulties, opening up to Faysal and being grateful to him for bringing literature to them in a positive and healing way. Two anthologies of work by these students have been published and are available from the THS website shop.

A full dedication piece by Helen Lange will appear in the forthcoming Thomas Hardy Journal.

An open-access wake for Faysal will take place Wednesday 8th September at Charlton Down Cricket Club.

Rest in Peace our Dear Friend.