MOHAMMED – FEZ, MOROCCO

the obersever

Mohammed greeted us with his big, cricket smile once we arrived in Fez. From the way he moved, we could immediately tell that he was a medina-native. Throughout our stay, we were lucky to get to spend so many rainy moments in the shelter of our beautiful Riad in Mohammed’s company. At first, Mohammed almost seemed shy to us. With his polite manners and quiet personality, he attended to every unspoken wish of his customers.  As we got to know him better, we realized he wasn’t shy at all, rather very observant and modest.

At age 45, Mohammed still lives a rather unusual life as a Bachelor. His life is dedicated to and determined by his work: he lives in the Riad, attends to people 24/7, 365 days per year. Holidays are a concept complete irrelevant to Mohammed.

From times to time, he visits his mother who lives in the new city, but he doesn’t have a “home” for himself.

Until we got to know him better, we almost felt bad for him. However, after we got to know him ourselves and through others, his mindfull character seemed to be so much at ease and content.

What makes Mohammed so unique?

He told us that he grew up in the midst of the medina. Growing up in the medina, he and his 10 siblings were shaped by the strict influence of their parents. Mohammed kept saying that he grew up among “good people, “people who do not just follow Islam but rather people who are true to their words and values.  People who accept their faith without questioning and carry on with the desire to give their best without complaining. As a youngster, Mohammed quit school early to start working. As a teenager he went away an worked for a man who became his mentor. Mohammed was ready and willing to work, hard work gave him some satisfaction. He told us he never looked back, never regretted not getting his school diploma. “I do good work, I give my best, and I don’t complain or look back. There is one moment which counts. The current one.”

What is essential to Mohammed?

When we asked Mohammed what’s important to him, he replied: my faith, my family my work, which allows me to live as an upright, proud man. Respect is key to everything in his life. Mohammed strives to live a life which earns him respect. To gain respect, though, “you have to know who you are” and realize that you may not change destiny, but you can change the way you accept and deal with the cards dealt. According to Mohammed, a respectable person will always have the strength to respect others and to answer the challenges of life with an open mind and the willingness to overcome them.

  What makes Mohammed happy?

When we asked him what made him happy, he told us that his family made him the most fortunate. He loves family gets together and quality time with his nieces and nephews.

But he also told us, that he is thrilled to have been working at this Riad since its foundation. Customers come to him for help, but they also go to him for company. He has practically become the face of the Riad, and this makes him happy and proud.

Mohammed is still a Bachelor, and he told us, that while he’s not missing a partner, he would be thrilled if someday (“Inshallah”)  he will meet a respectable wife. He believes that this might make him even happier.

  What does Mohammed recommend to travelers coming to Morocco?

Mohammed recommends to visitors to not get intimidated or irritated too quickly. Morocco might be a lot of action, talking, noises and hustlers, often visitors get so overwhelmed that they quickly duck in, like a turtle, scared to look, explore or talk to Moroccans. It aggravates Mohammed that some of his compatriots have become dishonorable concerning pushing tourists to buy at unreasonable prices.  He recommends to any visitor coming to Morocco to take the time to meet some Moroccans and make friends with them. With local friends, travelers will be able to see the “another Morocco,” a Morocco which is characterized by mutual respect. He also told us, that if one ever feels uncomfortable, pushed or cheated on, to threaten to call the police. This will get any hustler in line, even if you don’t go through with it.

  Could Mohammed see himself living in a different country?

Despite speaking several foreign languages fluently, Mohammed could never see himself living somewhere else. “I’ve been born in the medina of Fez, I belong here, and I will die here.” He can’t even imagine living in the new city, despite its many amenities which make life a lot easier.