Ustaz Mahmoud Mohamed Ali 
1930-2018
was born in Hagaz – Eritrea on December 28, 1930. He went school in Keren and later to Bet Gergeous in Asmara. He completed his middle school in Keren and joined TTI (Teachers Training Institute) in Asmara.
He received scholarship to AUB – American University of Beirut – Lebanon. He graduated from AUB in 1964 and appointed Director of Keren Secondary School – later on amed by King Haile Selassie – “Atze Dawit Comprehensive Secondary School – Keren. 1970 he was transferred to Asmara – Ministry of education – and appointed as all Eritrea Secondary School Supervisor. A year later came back to Atz Dawit Keren Secondary School. In 1974 he was appointed director of Haile Selassie Secondary School – Asmara.
He was imprisoned by the DERG and exiled to Addis Ababa – till 1978. In 1978 he came back to Asmara Ministry of Education.
Because of the Eritrean independence, he left Eritrea for fear of persecution. He went to Sudan and then to UAE. He worked at Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute, 1978-1999 (21 years). He retired and joined his children in Los Angeles, California, USA.
He was a much loved Kerenite and he will be greatly missed. Ustaz Kanoni the founder and director of Keren High School devoted his entire career to the field of education. He played a significant role in making us who we are.
Ustaz Kanoni was an incredible father, teacher, and mentor to us and his passing is an incredible loss. May Allah Bless His Soul.
The legacy of Ustaz will always be alive, and he will always be remembered as an outstanding teacher and mentor by his innumerable students.
Ustaz Kanoni is survived by his wife Zahra Karar, his sons Ahmed, Salah, Idris, Mustafa, and Kamal, his daughters Samia and Huda, and 17 grand kids.