Moein Al Bastaki is a bit of an oddity. The 32-year-old Emirati, who holds a Masters degree in business, is a magician who performs at events and enthralls audiences with his amazing bag of tricks. Is he the UAE’s only Emirati magician? Tempo wanted to know more…
Why magic, Moein?
I want to be able to create miracles. When I was a kid I always dreamt of being able to fly and disappear. I got hooked on magic at the age of nine after seeing David Copperfield for the first when my father got me his VHS tapes. At that time I didn’t know who this person was but I just wanted to do what he did. Some time later there was this magic show in my city and the organizer was my father’s friend. I attended every show by that magician even though all the tricks were similar to each other and not very good. Since then I have been totally fascinated by magic. Initially I was very shy to perform any magic tricks in front of anybody but I gradually built up my confidence by practicing a lot.
Where do you draw your inspiration, and who are your favourite magicians?
I am inspired by the environment, people, and everything around me. My favourite magicians are David Copperfield and Derren Brown – in fact my performances have influences from both of these masters.
What do you say to people who don’t like magic tricks?
I tell them that life is much more beautiful when you believe in magic. We all believe in magic when we are kids as everything is possible in our minds. But when we grow up we adapt ourselves to real life and we grow to forget the beauty of magic. Through magic tricks we magicians try to bring people back to childhood and those feelings again.
What challenges do you face?
In our society magic is looked down upon, because of references to black magic. But what I do is different; it is entertainment. But even then it is difficult for an Arab person to explore the art of magic in a society were magic is discouraged. My family was against my art, and the society was also against my art. But I did what I thought is the right for me, and I decided to follow my dream. Now I have become a pioneering magician in this art, especially in the Arab world.
I was so afraid in the beginning that I used the name of Momi Illusions to hide my identity. That was until I decided that it was enough and that I needed to tell people who I truly am, and that was how Moein Al Bastaki became a TV personality.
How did your journey progress?
It was difficult with no teacher and schools in this field. I started with my grandfather teaching me some tricks and l looked around to learn more and read as much as I could. I did my first magic show for my family when I was nine, and I can say it was one of the worst magic shows ever performed. To encourage me my uncle gave me five dirhams after my show. My family didn’t want me to continue this art and I didn’t have anybody else to support me but still I decided to stay committed.
What do you see in your future?
We are getting known more by the day. We are working harder and audiences are responding well. I think we can take this art internationally and represent the Arab world. I believe soon people will come and see our show in Dubai rather than traveling to other countries to see such shows.
I am privileged to have performed with big names in the world, and with celebrities in the Arab world. We have been featured on TV shows in the region. My show is updated continuously and I thank my team for their hard work.
Do you have a trick that raised eyebrows?
There was one when I made the famous UAE singer Abdullah Bulkhair vanish from his house and appear in the studio and then back from the studio to his house – all on a TV show. That made a great impact in my career, and set off a domino effect that is still continues today.
Do you have a trick that you hope to master?
I am really glad to say that I have successfully mastered a lot of the magic tricks that I dreamed of doing. But right now I am working on what I hope will be a full levitation in front of people on the street, and get it covered on TV stations. I plan to execute that very soon.
