I finally understand what unconditional love means: Juggun Kazim

Garnier brand ambassador and Dawn TV host Juggun Kazim on lies, chastity, and her filthy temper.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Holding my son in my arms.

What is your greatest fear?

Letting my son down.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My temper!

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

People who are dishonest. I can’t handle dishonesty.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Nihari and haleem in the morning.

What is your current state of mind?

Serene. I’m very much at peace with myself.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Chastity. On some occasions, modesty.

On what occasion do you lie?

I don’t ever lie actually. That is practically a flaw in me. But there is only one entity in the universe, God, that I have to be scared of, and God can see everything so why should I lie?

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I’ve grown up with body image issues, and I have no problem admitting it — so there are a lot of things I don’t like about myself.

Which living person do you most despise?

I don’t waste my energy despising anybody. I do dislike George W Bush though.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Cleanliness. I carry a nail clipper in my bag.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Panga” and “to be very honest”.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could sing.

When and where were you happiest?

The happiest moment in my life was when I held my son in my arms for the very first time. For those few moments, I forgot everything. Now I understand what unconditional love means.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Warmth. I believe we raise the men in our country to be cold, so women at least should be warm.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My filthy temper.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Having my son. I don’t want to gloat, but I’m a bloody good mother. And the thing is, before I had my son, I disliked children. I never thought I could play the role of a mother as well as I have, so that’s my greatest achievement.

Where would you most like to live?

Anywhere I can be myself.

What is your most treasured possession?

I don’t know if you can call a child a possession, but it would be Hamza.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Living an existence that has no meaning — a selfish existence.

What is your most marked characteristic?

My quirky and sometimes unacceptable sense of humour.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Rehana Saigol, and I have to admit, Kamiar Rokhni.

What is your greatest regret?

Not being able to give my child a ‘nuclear family.’

What’s your favourite quote?

The serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2010.