Dr. Mohammad Matar/ Palestine: Former Director General of the National Center for Educational Research and Development at the Ministry of Education and Advisor to ANECD.

12 October 2026 

Youssef Hajjar: The human encyclopedia, the champion and advocate of childhood.

Youssef Hajjar leaves us creating a vast void, a void spanning the realms of knowledge, society, philosophy, intellect, and literature, a void that is difficult to fill… Yes, it will be very difficult to fill his void.

I first met him in Beirut at forums organized by the Arab Network for Early Childhood Development (ANECD). Subsequent meetings revealed a new illuminating aspect of the treasures held within this human encyclopedia in every encounter.

Youssef Hajjar’s humanitarian legacy will remain a beacon for us, his colleagues at ANECD, for professionals in the childhood sector, and for all pioneers of dignity, rights, freedom, and enlightenment everywhere.

May his memory be fragrant and may his legacy continue to inspire.