Ten Thousand Things
Multicultural Webfinds, by Jean Miyake Downey

"Ten Thousand Things" is a Buddhist expression representing the dynamic interconnection and simultaneous unity and diversity of everything in the universe.

Shotokan Shihan (Grandmaster) in a Hijab
Martial arts girls 'fight without fear'
By Ahmed J. Versi, The Independent
February 9, 2006

Ahmed Versi's story about Rani Padamsee, a middle-aged Bengali Muslim woman who wears her hijab in Shotokan competitions, put a smile on my face.

Padamsee came into conflict with her parents over learning the sport, but she did so anyway, continuing her practice until she became a Six-Dan Black belt (one of three women in the world who hold this title) karate instructor in her town of Bengal School of Shotokan in Gulshan over the last 15 years. Later, her spiritual beliefs conflicted with an interpretation of the rulebook, but the Grandmasters changed the rules to accommodate Padamsee's beliefs.

"Since my childhood I have always been religious but I started wearing the hijab comparatively later. I believe Islam imbues a person with humane values," she says. Being an avid follower of her faith, however, has come with challenges. During the Asian Karatedo Federation Championships in the Philippines in 1995, Rani was told she would not be allowed to participate in the competition wearing the hijab. After filing a complaint of discrimination, she was invited to explain how the hijab would not adversely affect the art. "The initial refusal was because there was nothing in the rule book on wearing the head scarf," she explains. The ruling was later overturned and she was able to participate. "The Grandmasters in the world of karatedo are very understanding people," she says. "I also insisted in exams that I would not do kumite with men and they accepted it. I never bow down to anyone except Allah."

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