To the uninitiated, a mentalist is one who performs feats that apparently demonstrate extraordinary mental powers, such as mind reading.
The 32-year-old conjuror, who is also Malaysian tourism ambassador to the US and UK will conduct psychic performances in front of socialites in London on June 3, 4, 5 and 8.
This will be followed by an exhibition of his prowess, including reading the minds of spectators in Berlin, Germany, on June 12, 14 and 16.
Kabir said the performance would give him the opportunity to promote Malaysia as a tourism destination to spectators via a unique method to lure tourists from abroad as compared to the cultural and food promotion programmes which are often used to attract foreigners.
“The people want to know about Malaysia and I do it through the show… they want to come to Malaysia but they don’t do so.
“They need someone to tell them, this is why you should come to Malaysia. They need motivation or they will go to Singapore, Vietnam or Thailand,” he told Bernama in an interview here today.
In the meantime, Kabir, who has adopted the image of legendary crooner Elvis Presley, said he plans to hold a motivation-sharing session among Malaysians to boost a desire to succeed.
“With the right mental attitude, all of us can succeed in whatever fields we venture into.”
Kabir is a Manual Dexterity and Prestidigitation (Magic) graduate from the Chaves Studio of Magic in Los Angeles and McBride School of Magic and Mystery in Las Vegas.
He said he planned to start the motivation session at his old school, St John’s Institution here in August before expanding it to local universities.
The Penang-born opted for a career in magic after he was entranced by the performances of the world-famous magician David Copperfield on television programmes which he watched at the age of six.
His struggle to become a famous magician at the international level was portrayed in the 2015 New York Times bestseller, The Success Principles 10th Anniversary Edition, written by Jack Canfield.
Due to his excellent performances involving high-profile events worldwide, Kabir was announced by Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz as tourism ambassador to the US and UK last October.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram