We live in a world where a three-minute read is considered too long, Twitter threads are becoming a bore, and a caption that’s longer than three lines is less engaging. Today’s digital universe is fast-paced, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that our minds are truly keeping up with the times. And while reading a proper book, fiction or nonfiction, may be a long-winded process, it will always be one that you are better off doing. This is why we were thrilled when we came by the engaging El Mohim Reviews on Instagram, where discussions on books and culture are witty, clever, and presented via everyone’s popular content platforms. Founded by Creative Director Ahmed Al Shahabi and Electrical Engineer Ali AlHasan, these avid bookworms are making the case for reading more by purposefully dissecting and examining the content we are consuming today.
El Mohim Reviews actually got started back in 2015. Shahabi would frequently visit Caffeine in downtown Kuwait City with a book in hand. As serendipity would have it, that’s how he met Ali for the first time. “It turned out that we’re both book addicts, but the difference between us is that Ali likes to highlight on his books and I find that act to be blasphemous!” Shahabi starts us off, “We would discuss books, life and everything else whenever during our weekly rendezvous there, and whenever that happens, we always find ourselves surrounded by friends and strangers joining us to listen to the conversations, so that sparked an idea.” At the time, Shahabi was already doing quick reviews on his personal Instagram account, but from there, the idea of a shared platform developed organically. Today, El Mohim features regular book discussions between Ali and Shahabi, hosts guests, and they discuss everything they consider to be worthy of reading, regardless of the book’s genre. The discussions normally unpack the thoughts behind the written word, with cultural tangents, and relating the relevance of the work to today’s society. Shahabi hopes to see El Mohim emerge into a fuller TV show or cultural platform that talks about books in hopes of encouraging others to take up reading on a local and regional level.
El Mohim Reviews tackle one book every month, where a discussion takes place and a video review episode is prepared and uploaded on YouTube. The duo utilizes Instagram to showcase key highlights and announcements, and a quick follow will also pepper your feed with fun trivia and polls regarding the world of literature. Shahabi told us that both he and Ali tend to prepare their own set of questions, only to surprise one another during the actual review and discussion. “As for the set-up,” he adds, “It’s very minimal. We shoot in Ali’s house using my iPhone and tripod. Afterward, Ali handles the mixing and editing of the video.” This month, El Mohim Reviews plans on showcasing The Responsibility of the Cultured by Ali Shariati. Shahabi explained, “It’s an important read that tackles the issue of the role of the cultured person in a world where superpowers are exporting their habits as cultures to the average person.”
For Ali, his love for reading began in high school, “It was the first time I picked up a novel. And it was during my finals, and I wanted to get my mind off my studies. Once I opened the book, I didn’t realize that I was on page 50! Initially, I was chasing [a state of] flow of time that doesn’t exist, an experience where you’re totally immersed in this new world between the cover of the book you’re holding.” And while Ali enjoyed this experience, he surely sees the value of reading in all other aspects of his life. For Shahabi, an interruption in his early years of education due to personal circumstances served as a clear motivator to read. “I was faced with a hard decision at 7 years old. Either accept the fate that others have chosen for me, which is to be illiterate, or read ANY book I can get and watch any documentary.” His family called accused him of being a regular book thief, but he didn’t care, “each book represented something I’ve never experienced, its own world! Since then, books played a huge role in shaping the man I am today.”
Both Ali and Shahabi acknowledge the challenges of reading in today’s cultural climate. Shahabi is grateful that, in the midst of a pandemic, there are still multiple book clubs and bookstores still running. While there is a clear global decline in reading, he describes today’s cultural scene in Kuwait to be “much richer than what than it used to be in the 90s despite restrictions. Although the world went through an online phase in terms of socializing due to curfews and lockdown restrictions, local discussions continued digitally. For us at El Mohim, we tried it once or twice but I think people still prefer personal interactions in terms of discussions and debates, so we are keeping our El Mohim traditions in Caffeine while maintaining social distancing. And we hope that in some way El Mohim will inspire people to invest more in reading down the line.” Ali echoes this sentiment, citing how the 90s era in Kuwait saw a steep decline in a cultural scene that encouraged reading, “I feel that we are experiencing a beautiful era now in Kuwait. We are waking up from a long period of self-induced hibernation. Art is resurfacing again everywhere. We have the Opera house. You can listen to live music at a restaurant or cafe. There are many poetry clubs that meet regularly. Of course, the pandemic put a pause on all these activities until recently as regulations started to ease up a bit.”
We also asked Shahabi and Ali about how they would go about encouraging others to read more books. Shahabi wittingly told us that “It’s ironic that someone can binge-watch an entire season on Netflix yet they look for a 10minute read, but I would suggest that they start with smart articles or light books, even if they read a page a day. That’s an achievement.” Ali, however, leaves us with this rightfully poignant statement, “There is a quote I live by, ‘The difference between who you are today, and who you will become in five years are the books you read and the people you meet.’ Anyone who wants a better life should read daily. I don’t think reading is a choice… you either read or you die. We are either becoming smarter or dumber, there is no in-between. You simply can’t afford to read if you are serious in the game of life.”
TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Shahabi: ﻳﺤﻠﻴﻠﻪ or kind.
Ali: أﺧﻼق
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Shahabi: Amazing.
Ali: Relationships.
What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?
Shahabi: Will that be a Diet Coke with your KFC Bucket?
Ali: When placing an order at a drive thru terminal, the cashier asked me the following question after I finished telling her what I wanted: Would you like that to go?
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
Shahabi: I tend to disappear completely off the radar every now and then.
Ali: Jumped out of a plane.
What is your theme song?
Shahabi: “The End” by the Doors.
Ali: Seinfeld!
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
Shahabi: Innuendo! I imagine a two-headed snake moving sideways when I pronounce it slowly, Inn-yoouuu-weeeen-dohh.
Ali: Inspire.
Where would you like to live?
Shahabi: Chile or Norway.
Ali: Home.
What is your dream retirement location?
Shahabi: Monaco.
Ali: A beach.
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
Shahabi: “The path of excess leads to the tower of wisdom” J. W. Blake.
Ali: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?
Shahabi: Cat.
Ali: Tigress.
Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?
Shahabi: I had the entire figure collection of THE Thundercats, now that I miss.
Ali: Not thinking at all about what others thought of me.
If you could change your name, to what would you change it?
Shahabi: Alexander.
Ali: I wouldn’t change it.
How would you describe your handshake, in one word?
Shahabi: Firm.
Ali: Genuine.
What is the toughest part of your character?
Shahabi: My unapologetic honesty.
Ali: My determination.
Who is your favorite historical figure?
Shahabi: Julius Caesar, Sun Tzu.
Ali: Mohammad Ali.
What in the world do you least desire?
Shahabi: Listening to today’s music.
Ali: Being around negative people who complain all the time but do nothing about it.
What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?
Shahabi: More humility and respect, authenticity and innovation.
Ali: Treating people with respect and kindness, especially toward others who find themselves living in a different social situation.
Why do you think most people who do, like you?
Shahabi: Definitely has to be my dark sense of humor.
Ali: I guess they see humility and integrity in doing what you’re preaching.
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…”
Shahabi: A perception (and first edition books).
Ali: Happiness is a decision.
For more information, check out @Elmohimreviews on Instagram and YouTube.
