Interview with the buddhist Ashita

Ashita a 34 year old buddhist woman is currently doing her MA at Imperial University. She is a devout Buddhist from South Tailand, a woman passionate about life, and determined to drive herself towards her goals. Her aims are clear and her attempts are presise. Upon meeting this remarkable individual, we got into a discussion about faith and religion. She questioned me, and so I questioned her. This is how the interview went.

Ashita: Did you choose to wear the headscarf yourself? I know some people are forced.

M.Hilli (me): Yes it is a personal choice, I am not forced into it, I believe that it is an act of modesty, and I am fully comfortable with it. Although no one is protected from the evil eyes of an on-looker I believe that a woman covering her private parts and the most attractive features she owns is less likely to be looked at by perverted men than a woman who is revealing all her flesh. Although Hijab in its self is not solely for this purpose, from my personal experience I feel that it protects me in 101 ways. I am currently working in an environment inhabited by Arab men who are sick in the head, and with all the covering I uptake I am still looked at in a sick manner, and that makes me feel uncomfortable and nervous, yet it also relieves me to know that I am not exposed to these malicious creatures.

Ashita: Yeah you do have a valid point and I understand and respect you for it. Do you always dress in this same manner?

M.Hilli: [laughs slightly] No No No.. please do not look at the scruffily way I have dressed today, I am usually more elegant, but this morning I was very tired and so I made no attempt.

Ashita: I would love to see you looking elegant, I cant imagine how that can be achieved with Hijab.

M.Hilli: Why not? Maybe one day.

Ashita: I was wondering, when do you find time to do other stuff if you have to always pray? I mean I dont think I would be able to do that ever.

M.Hilli: Well the truth is we only pray 5 times a day and in 3 intervals. We combine 2 sets of 2 and one which is around dawn is prayed by itself. Its not as hard or as time consuming or even tedious as it may sound or seem, in fact all 5 prayers combined together do not take more than 20 minutes of your whole 24 hours in a day!!

Ashita: In Tailand I always see people praying alot.

M.Hilli: There are Muslims I believe in Tailand who wear Hijab is that true?

Ashita: Yes it is. Mostly in South Tailand where I was born. I infact have Muslim relatives. My maternal grandmother is a Muslim.

M.Hilli: If you dont mind me asking, what religion are you?

Ashita: No not at all, I am a Buddhist believer.

M.Hilli: really??? I am particularly interested in that religion. Give me a brief outline of what you believe.

Ashita: I believe in my own talents sums it up really?

M.Hilli: What about Siddharta the Buddha? Do you really worship him.

Ashita: We pay our respects to him. He protects us. My mother gave me a small statue of Buddha she told me to carry it with me wherever I go. It protects me from danger. I also feel my mothers protection. And I also can protect myself.

----the interview was interrupted after this--------------