People read books at a mobile taxi library in Alexandria, Egypt, June 29, 2024.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, July 2 (Xinhua) -- On a street in northern Egypt's coastal governorate of Alexandria, several passers-by were checking a variety of books placed on a taxi. The taxi driver, Mohammed Azzam, has turned his cab into a mobile library three or four days a week to encourage people to read.
"I have loved reading since childhood, that is one of the reasons why I decided to launch a mobile taxi library initiative," 42-year-old Azzam told Xinhua, satisfied to see pedestrians being interested in his books.
Azzam provided people with books during his non-working time, allowing them to read for up to three hours each time.
Putting forward the initiative three years ago, the taxi driver has now become widely known in Alexandria.
He then opened a small library on the street for bookworms, where he also sold books such as school textbooks and stationery to help fund his taxi library initiative.
The middle-aged man cited the main reason for launching the initiative as people's reluctance to read after the spread of the Internet and social networks.
"People waste their time playing games on mobile phones or surfing social media pages," Azzam said, explaining, "People may get some benefit from these behaviors, but there is nothing better than holding and reading a book."
Samia Mohammed, a 22-year-old college student, said she stumbled upon the taxi-turned-library by chance and then frequented it for reading.
"It was a bit strange for me to see a taxi driver showcasing books on his car for pedestrians," Mohammed said, adding that she greatly admired the idea.
"With no hesitation, I picked up a psychology book that interested me," the student told Xinhua, adding most of her friends have now become frequent visitors to the unique library.
"We have gotten Azzam's phone number. We will call to know when and where he is going to be stationed," she said, flashing a smile.
Mahmoud Abdo, a high schooler who also visited the mobile library, said such an initiative "will certainly attract more people and encourage them to read."
"People rarely read in current days ... I read my school textbooks only. Through this initiative, I also prefer to read some literature and scientific books now," Abdo told Xinhua.
Azzam said he wishes to promote the initiative by opening more small libraries inside Alexandria and inviting others to join him.
"I also hope that similar initiatives will be launched across the country, mainly in remote areas," Azzam told Xinhua. ■
