Editor’s Diary:
I travelled from Spain to Morocco by ferry, then took a train in Tangier to Rabat for an interview that I had been
waiting for 5 months. I have always been interested in authentic people, people who are not looking for fame,
people who sincerely love what they do and do it to the fullest. For me, interviewing is not about making a cover
story; it’s not about A-list stars, and it’s never about me; it’s about meeting a real person and understanding their
perspective.
Mohammed Aziz is not an ordinary bookseller. His personal story of rising above poverty through books is more
than inspiring. If you ask him for the title of his favourite book, you will not receive a definitive answer; he loves
them all. I’m definitely willing to travel thousands of kilometres to meet people like him: honest, passionate,
and dedicated to work. Enjoy our heart-to-heart conversation!
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Ulviyya Mahmud gave him Əlifba. A Cultural Alphabet in Arabic as a present
How did you start your bookselling journey?
I used to read a lot. At some point I gathered a lot of books and decided to sell them, however, I couldn’t get any price from booksellers, so I started selling them myself.
How many books do you sell a day?
I would say about 8 books a day. There are days when I don’t sell anything.
How many books have you read?
It’s hard to say: I have spent 62 years buying and selling books. But, I suppose, I’ve read roughly over two thousand books.
Do you have rare manuscripts in your library?
No, I don’t have any rare manuscripts or books, because they are very expensive.
How many hours a day do you read?
I spend 6-8 hours a day reading.
Does everyone in your family read as much as you do?
My parents are illiterate. So, I am the only one who reads this much.
What languages do you speak?
I speak French and Arabic.
Do you ever take notes while reading?
If I read a book, I wouldn’t read it again. It doesn’t keep its sweetness, unless it’s a book you really enjoy, like One Thousand and One Nights which I have.
Do you have a favourite book?
My favourite book is the Qur’an, because it talks about the present, the future, and the past, it’s the one book that I carry with me all the time. Always with me. Besides Qur’an I really like Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.
Do you have any favourite quote?
Les Misérables is all beautiful, if you read it you will like it all, from the beginning to the end.
Often classical novels are made into movies, do you think watching a movie is as effective and have the same depth as reading a book?
I don’t think reading books and watching movies based on those books is the same: movies don’t capture everything within a book.
Is there a book that you would never sell?
I can't avoid selling a book – that’s how I make a living. If I see a profit in it, I sell it, because that’s my livelihood.
Did you have a passion for books at school?
Yes. I believe that each of us has a destiny even before we are born. You cannot know if a person will be a scholar or a doctor, that comes from God.
Were you ever interested in going outside Morocco to see the world?
I am only interested in reading books. I read a lot about Europe and other places. I travel through books: when I read something, it is like seeing a picture. I have never left Morocco; however, I did travel to other Moroccan cities. My favourite Moroccan city is Rabat, because I have a special bond with it: I grew up and studied here.
What’s your favourite book genre?
I love books that have truth in them. For example, I enjoy reading Pierre Bellemare.
Have you ever changed anything about the bookstore?
I have never changed anything. The only thing that changes is books.
Where do you get your books from?
There is a place in Rabat where they sell books – this is where I get my books from.
What do you do with books that are gifted to you?
I say thank you and sell them.
Will you sell Əlifba. A Cultural Alphabet?
No, I will take it home, read it, and put it on a shelve. Thank you.
Can you finish the phrase “a book is …”?
A book is a mate.
Can you tell us about your day?
I wake up in the morning, I pray fajr first, then have a breakfast, then I come here. It takes me about an hour. I stay until evening prayer, then I spend another two hours closing up. It’s a hard work, even like this. At home I eat dinner and go to sleep. I spend much of my time reading here, in the bookstore.
What is your message for our readers?
For young people, I would say: don’t just study at school. Do practical work too, like mechanics or working with your hands. Learn skills that are tangible and useful, not just academic subjects like law or economics. Experience and hands-on work are important. And don’t spend all your time on your phone.
How can you leave your books unattended outside your shop?
Those who can’t read won’t steal them and those who can, aren’t thieves.
Do practical work too
A book is a mate
Rabat, I have a special bound with it
- His career started under the shade of a tree, with a rug and nine books.
- Mohammed Aziz spends 6 to 8 hours a day reading books.
- On average, he sells eight books a day.
- Five times a day he walks to a nearby mosque to pray.
- Mohammed Aziz became fluent in French and Arabic without ever having finished school.
What are the greatest danger in modern society?
Ignorance.
