“The people who can read are not thieves” - Mohamed Aziz

[Cane]

This is Mohamed Aziz, 72 years old, the most photographed bookseller in the world, located in the capital of Rabat, Morocco!​

Selling books in a country where 26% of the population still cannot read is an act of love for the city, the country’s literature, and the world. Orphaned at the age of 6, Aziz had a difficult life; he couldn’t even finish high school because textbooks were too expensive for him. At the age of 15 in 1963, he started his book-selling career with just a rug spread under a tree and 9 books.

Now, his bookstore sells thousands of books, and he spends his days immersed in books, devouring the stories within them. He reads for 6 to 8 hours each day, only stopping to eat, pray, smoke, and help customers.

The rest of the time, he strolls around neighborhoods looking for books to sell later in his shop. He says this is his revenge against his childhood and poverty: “I have read more than 4,000 books in Arabic, French, English, or Spanish, which means I have lived more than 4,000 lives. Everyone should have that chance! I only need two pillows and a book to enjoy my day.”

After more than 43 years in the same place, he is the longest-serving bookseller in Rabat.

Ps: When asked why he leaves the books outside where they could be stolen, he answered that those who can’t read don’t steal books, and those who can read are not thieves…

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