Q & A with Shamima Sakendar, a Muslim student whose story about a Catholic sister became a short film

GSR: Can you tell us the background of "The Soul"?

Sakendar: An important time of my student life was at Holy Cross College. When I enrolled in the college, my father was unemployed. At that time, our family's costs were provided by our maternal uncle, who lived abroad. My father did not have the ability to enroll me in college that time, but my mom sold her own gold necklaces and enrolled me in college. She also bought me shoes and a college uniform that I used for two years.

In my first several months at the college, I got help from my uncles, or my mom borrowed money from a neighbor or my elder sister, who earns money as a tutor. Later, the sisters announced at the college that a form will be distributed for needy students. I collected it. Later, the college told me to bring my mom, who shared about my father's unemployment. This is how my application was approved to get financial aid. My college fee of 1,600 taka ($18.88) was cut in half for me. It was a blessing.

I realized that a nun considered my situation and granted a half-tuition fee though she is Christian. In "The Soul," I wrote about the communal mentality of nuns. I mention religious harmony.

Why did you write your story about Sr. Gomes?

Sr. Gomes was the best example of religious harmony for me. I thought if I could write a nice story on her and it becomes film, everyone in the country will know about the beauty of religious harmony.

I do believe film is a strong way to reach all kinds of audiences easily with a message. I wanted to explain through "The Soul" how a nun is transforming society by her good and kind work for all faiths.

I also think if this kind of film was produced more, one day, religious extremism will decline in our country. This kind of film will make a country of religious harmony. This young generation should take more of this kind of initiative so that they can understand and hold religious harmony.

What is your favorite part of "The Soul"?

I liked most when the nun visits her student's home after noticing she was absent at school. Later in the film, the nun helped that schoolgirl in her moment of helplessness. I think Sr. Gomes and other nuns are still helping in the country and positively transforming those girls' lives.

When Sr. Gomes learned that a film was produced about her, she was very happy. It made me happy, too. My maternal uncle and his wife also were very happy when they learned about my story and film. They congratulated me. My parents and all my relatives were happy for my story and my success.

Has Holy Cross College changed your life in a positive way?

I discovered myself by studying at their college. I learned I can do work by discipline. Before I attended the college, I felt inferior when talking with others, but I could remove that sense of inferiority through my studies. At this college, students come to study from all districts of the country and from all faiths.

The college taught me religious harmony. During tiffin time, we shared our food. I never could speak in front of a microphone previously, but during assemblies, I led prayers at college. In a handicraft competition, I came in third place and was awarded. This college helped boost my hidden talents.

Which of Sr. Gomes' lessons do you like most?

I love Sr. Gomes very much. I got huge motivation from her class. She taught us not only from academic books, but also from other sources.

She told us: "Always talk with eye contact. Eye contact is so important." From that day, I learned to tell the truth with eye contact. Because of the color of my skin, I grew up hearing many insulting words from people, but I now keep in my mind that Sr. Gomes told me that I'm the most beautiful lady in the world and I'm the emperor of my own world. I still practice it in my life, and that makes me confident.

Sr. Gomes also taught us: "Girls, on Dec. 31, sit with a diary and write what this year you wanted to do but could not do successfully. Write it in your dairy for next year. Also write what you successfully did."

Why was Holy Cross College the top college for you?

Beside providing a quality academic education, its aim is to provide formation to young female students to boost their personalities with leadership power. This college helps boost the hidden power of female students.

Teachers understand students' reality of life. Teachers conduct different cultural programs and extracurricular activities which help students in the future. As a result, students can speak publicly, they can conduct programs.

We learned discipline and to be punctual. We students from different religions did all of our activities with religious tolerance and harmony. The college's song is: "Holy Cross, we shall be loyal. Holy Cross, we shall be truth."

While I studied in the college, nuns observed our clothes, socks. If anybody wore unclean clothes or socks, as punishment, they made us write 200 times, "I will not do it."

What is aim of your life?

My mom wanted me to be a lawyer. I also took it as my life's aim, but I could not enroll in any law college. Now, I am studying economics at a state-run college, but in the future, after graduation, I will take law courses. I want to be a lawyer on the Supreme Court.

Besides becoming a lawyer, I will continue writing stories. I will feed needy people from my income, and, if possible, I will help make housing for those who are homeless.

Do you want to say anything else?

Through a campaign of the Youth Empowerment Forum, I could write "The Soul," a story that helped me boost my talents. I want to encourage other youths of our county to get involved in this youth organization. It promotes a Bangladesh in religious harmony. Religious harmony is important to make a peaceful nation and world.

[Sumon Corraya is a Catholic journalist based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He covers issues affecting the Christian community in Bangladesh.]