BASILAN Representative Mujiv Hataman has refiled a proposed law seeking to declare February 1 every year as the National Hijab Day to raise awareness on the use of a hijab and correct misconceptions being ascribed to the practice of wearing one.

Hataman said his House Bill (HB) No. 3725, or “An Act Declaring the First Day of February of Every Year as National Hijab Day and Promoting an Understanding of the Muslim Tradition of Wearing a Hijab” measure aims to foster awareness and stamp out discrimination.

“Ang hijab ay isa sa mga simbolo ng pananampalataya para sa mga kababaihang Muslim, ngunit nakakalungkot na ito rin ang nagiging dahilan ng kanilang diskriminasyon. Hangad natin ang mas malalim na pang-unawa at kamulatan tungkol sa pagsusuot ng hijab sa hanay ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim,” Hataman said.

“Dami na nating narinig kwento tungkol sa diskriminasyon laban sa mga nakasuot ng hijab: pinagtatanggal ng hijab sa mga paaralan, hindi natatanggap sa trabaho, hindi pinagbebentahan ng bahay o lupa, o yung simpleng hindi pinaparahan ng taxi sa daan pag nakitang naka-hijab,” Hataman, former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said.

“May mga okasyon na nagiging target pa sila ng karahasan nang dahil sa pagsusuot ng hijab o dahil sa kanilang pagiging Muslim. Bahagi ito ng mas malaking laban natin kontra diskriminasyon.

Kaya makakatulong ng malaki itong panukalang ito sa pag-educate ng mga tao tungkol sa pagsusuot ng hijab,” he added.

Aside from declaring a National Hijab Day, the measure also seeks to raise awareness of the religious practice of wearing a hijab, eliminate misconceptions about wearing a hijab, promote deep understanding among non-Muslims on the practice, and encourage schools to educate the young so that they may appreciate why Muslim women wear hijabs.

“This measure has been filed and refiled since the 16th Congress by then Anak Mindanao Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman. In fact, during the 17th and 18th Congress, it was approved by the House of Representatives on the third and final reading. Unfortunately, it did not get Senate approval,” according to the measure’s explanatory note.

“It is our aim to raise awareness and to put a stop to all sorts of discrimination, including discrimination against Muslim women. With this bill, we hope to foster deeper respect and understanding among and between Filipinos of varying cultures and faith toward national unity and peace,” it further explained.

Hataman said he hopes that once read into the order of business of the House and referred to the Committee on Muslim Affairs, this measure be expedited since it has already been approved on the 3rd and final reading during the 18th Congress.

“Ibayong pagsisikap ang gagawin natin ngayon para maipasa na ito at maging batas. Hangga’t hindi tumataas ang antas ng kamulatan o edukasyon natin tungkol sa pagsusuot ng hijab, patuloy na magkakaroon ng maling paniniwala tungkol dito,” he explained.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco