Selma Roth Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Saudi magician Mumdo Marzouki on Sunday won the prestigious Merlin Award for best illusionist in the Middle East. The price, often described as the Oscar of the magic world, was personally handed over to him at the InterContinental Hotel here by Antony Hassini, founder of the New York-based International Magicians Society. It was the first time a Saudi won the respected award. “It's quite an honor. When I first started doing illusion shows, I'd never, in a million years, thought I would continue doing them, let alone receive an award,” Marzouki said during an interview with Saudi Gazette. He said he felt honored not only to be receiving the award, but also to be accepted by his peers. Marzouki started doing illusionist tricks when he was about 10 years old. “My uncle showed me a simple magic trick, and ever since that day I wanted to learn how these tricks work. Gradually, I started reading books and learning some simple magic tricks.” Twenty years later, the young Saudi illusionist has his own stage shows, for which he won this prestigious award, and regularly performs at corporate events and private functions all over the world.
His next goal, he revealed, would be to set up public shows in the Kingdom. “I am thrilled to be here to present the award to him,” said Hassini, who founded the International Magicians Society back in 1968 and is a renowned magician himself. He lauded Marzouki's theatrical performance, excellent timing, originality, as well as his knowledge in magic. Marzouki received his doctoral magic degree and completed the Magic Academy. “Magic is still a new art form in the region,” Marzouki said when asked if he faced any difficulties in the Kingdom, where illusionists are often looked at with suspicion. “There is some misunderstanding and confusion between what I do and the supernatural.” He stressed that what he does is not real magic or sorcery, but illusion tricks. To educate people, he decided to launch his own magic box (Mumdo's Mystery Box, for sale at Obeikan Bookstore) that contains seven simple tricks. Inspired by his idol David Copperfield, the young Marzouki also needed some time to convince his family of what he was doing. “Like any other family, the first thing they wanted for their son was to have a normal job. Show business is not really a secure way to make a living, unless you are very famous.” However, showing his family how big the entertainment industry in the West is and how artists there make a good living, Marzouki convinced them he could do it. During the function, Marzouki showed his favorite trick to the audience, in which he sawed his own arm and made it disappear. “It's a simple trick, but it's my favorite.” He advised young, aspiring magicians to be creative and come up with new and exciting tricks. The International Magicians Society is the world's largest organization for magicians, as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, with over 41,000 members worldwide. Recipients of the Merlin Award include David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy, Doug Henning, and Criss Angel.
