TO ENSURE cultural understanding and fight discrimination, Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla has filed a bill for the observance of the National Hijab Day on Feb. 1 of every year, to show solidarity with the Muslim women and to value the significance of their wearing the hijab as a sign of modesty.

Padilla, in filing Senate Bill 1272, noted the hijab as a “visible and distinguishable expression of the Islamic faith” that has been used in “discrimination and prejudice against Muslim women.”

“It is our aim to declare the first day of February of every year as National Hijab Day to recognize the millions of Muslim women around the world, and in the Philippines especially, who choose to wear the hijab and embody a life of modesty. It likewise aims to foster cultural understanding and inclusivity in our country,” Padilla, a Muslim, said in his bill.

He stressed the need to end discrimination especially against Muslim women through “awareness, education and empowerment.”

Also, he said that his bill aims to counter the “colonial mentality” where the hijab symbolizes the oppression of women.

“Stereotypical representations lead to misconceptions and one-dimensional view that Muslim women are powerless and oppressed. Recent controversies in different parts of the world – from hijabis being denied entry on school grounds to Muslim women getting assaulted for wearing hijab – have been polarizing and detrimental to Muslim women. Domestically, Filipino Muslim women are no strangers to these challenges,” he said.

Under the bill, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos will be the lead agency for the National Hijab Day and will coordinate with the Bangsamoro Women Commission.

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PS Jun M. Sarmiento