Ahmed El Bayed

Ahmed Saleh El Bayed (born January 3, 1978) is the first Middle Eastern illusionist. He is a Saudi illusionist, best known for his combination of fear and story in his illusions.

Early years

Ahmed was born in Jeddah, the son of Muslim parents, mother used to be an article writer in many national newspapers, she was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and his father Saleh El Bayed, a Saudi business man, he owns the agency of Swarovski Crystals in Saudi Arabia and many other agencies. Ahmed El Bayed was raised in Jeddah, with one brother, Hamza, and two sisters, Reem and Dina. Ahmed started his passion with magic and illusions at the age of 5, when his grandfather taught him a small trick. Then when he was 11, his father taught him self-independence by sending him to study in the International School of Choueifat in UK, he then moved to Dover College at the age of 12, in these years he was teaching himself Magic (illusion) and doing some card manipulation in school and to his surroundings, he moved then to complete his studies and university in Los Angeles, USA after completing his high school, where he used to do so many private and public shows. In 2011 Ahmed El Bayed participated in the competition of Arab's Got Talent

Career and Business Life

In 2003, Ahmed El Bayed moved to Saudi Arabia, With the goal of being the first Arabic illusionist to ever bring this art at a high level to the Middle East, and he succeeded in becoming and being labeled as the Middle East Pioneer illusionist in all Newspapers and Arabic TV stations. Ahmed still continued his passion and goals despite all the risks and troubles he faced. Ahmed’s art is considered illusions and has nothing to do with sorcery or Black Magic, and he made that clear to everyone through his interviews. Ahmed started his public shows in 2004 by opening the first theater in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in Al-Shallal resort, where his show was held until 2008 where the Saudi Islamic authorities banned his shows from the public because it was too much for people to grasp.

International Shows

El Bayed also did so many shows in United Kingdom, United States, France, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Dubai, Bahrain, even in Afghanistan, while all these shows runs, Ahmed did not forget the charity and orphan organizations from his free shows and his income. Ahmed also conducted some courses in memory development and memorizing, activate memory muscles, and decision making for managers.

First TV Show

In 2006 El Bayed made a TV street magic show in collaborative with Future Television at the “Mishoshow” with Michel Azzi, he also had some TV interviews and shows in MBC 1, CNBC Arabiya. Rotana, and Dubai TV.

Habibi Café

Ahmed El Bayed had his own café in Jeddah named “Habibi café”, it was open to public and other talented magicians used to represent some of their tricks, also, Ahmed used to teach the public some of his sleight of hand tricks, there was a plan to expand the café to have a stage for the talented junior magicians to do their stunts. Due to Ahmed’s busy life with his shows in other countries, he closes his café with an intention to re-establish it again in the future.

Accidents and Injuries

On summer 2006, while rehearsing an illusion called "Escape" El Bayed was handcuffed inside a box in which a heavy object would fall, unfortunately he could not open the door and the device fell on his knee, causing him to spend a month recovering.

Achievements and Awards

  • Received the Elegant Oscar of 2009 for his performance and elegancy in Abu Dhabi Elegant Show, UAE.

ar:أحمد البايض