Muhammad Ali Interview

It is probably illegal to do this without parental consent, but I'm willing to take the risk seeing how the esteemed Minister of Social Affairs is willing to use children for political gains. By the way about that presidency, Dream on Nayla. Next time you are hoping to look presidential, do not show the world that a 10 year old kid is a lot more articulate than you. Ok, enough ranting.

Muhammad Ali is a 12 years old Shoe shiner in Hamra.


J: How old are you?
MA: 12.

J: Where are you from?
MA: I'm from Nawar el Debbane in Tripoli.

J: When did you move to Beirut?
MA: When my dad died 4 years ago.

J: Where's your mom?
MA: Home with my younger brothers.

J: How many brothers?
MA: 1 Brother, 2 Sisters.

J: Do they work too?
MA: No, I support the family.

I noticed him looking at what I'm writing.

J: Do you read and write?
MA: I left school in 2nd grade. So I know a few words.

J: How do people treat you on the street?
MA: Good, only once they beat me up because they thought I was Syrian, but when I told them I'm from Tripoli they let me go.

J: And the Cops?
MA: Once they took me to the Makhfar, and my mom came and took me home.

J: How's the shoe shining business?
MA: It's enough to buy food for the family, do you want me to steal instead?

J: Nope, not at all. How much do you charge?
MA: 500LL-1,500LL

J: And if the customer is Saudi?
MA: (Smirking) 3,000-5,000LL. Sometimes 10,000.

J: Do women shine their shoes too?
MA: Once a woman shined her big boots.

J: Did you peak up her skirt?
MA: Nooo, she was wearing pants.

J: Who's a better shoe shiner, you or that old geezer sitting over there?
MA: I don't know, I try my best.

J: Do you use Boya Creme Boffalo Lamma3?
MA: What's that?

J: I guess you really aren't Syrian.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
MA:I wanna make teeth like my dad used to.

J:Make Teeth?
MA: Yes, when people lose their teeth they replace them with Teeth made of platinum, my mom is teaching me how to make them.

J: What do you do after work?
MA: I play Goal with my friends.

J: Are you good?
MA: Yes, I play with the Gebalia team in Sabra.

J: What's your favorite team?
MA: Brazil.

J: Well, mine is Italy , khallas we can't talk anymore.