Anak Mindanao Rep. Amihilda J. Sangcopan on Monday called on non-Muslim women to wear the hijab even for a day as countries observed World Hijab Day.
“Through the years, we’ve had non-Muslim women share with us their own experience with the hijab. Their stories ranged from those of finding quiet empowerment under the veil, to stories of being discriminated against because of a piece of cloth they they’ve decided to wear,” Sangcopan said in a privilege speech.
Sangcopan, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Muslim Affairs, stressedt aht wearing the hijab is neither “an obligation nor an act of oppression” but is in fact, “an act of empowerment and conscious decision among women, regardless of faith, that amount to a change in today’s world where discrimination has become rampant and universal, prejudice and cruel.”
It will be recalled that the House of Representatives passed on final reading last week House Bill 8249 declaring February 1 of each year the”National Hijab Day” in order to promote national awareness of the Muslim tradition of wearing the veil over their faces.
Sangcopan urged the Senate to pass its own version of the bill.
The bill defines hijab as a veil that that covers the head and chest, which is particularly worn by a Muslim female beyond the age of puberty while in the presence of adult males outside of their immediate family.
A hijabi refers to a Muslim woman wearing the hijab.
Reacting to Sangcopan’s speech, Reps. Michael Defensor (Anakalusugan) and Alfred De los Santos (Ang Probinsyano) lauded Sangcopan’s efforts in making Filipinos aware of the significance of the hijab in the Muslim culture.
“Let me congratulate Congresswoman Sangcopan for being proud to wear the hijab,” said Defensor.
De los Santos stated: “We should not miss this opportunity to support the call for the wearing of hijab. This is also the perfect avenue to educate other people about the Muslim peoples culture and religious belief.”
In her speech, Sangcopan said that while efforts are being done to stop discrimination against women wearing hijab, there remains countries in the world that are prejudiced towards this religious custom.
She cited the case of a woman police officer who was fired from her job as a police officer for wearing a hijab. In Singapore, a government hospital workers was forced to remove her hijab every time she reports for work.
“Here in the Philippines, there are some universities who banned Muslim students from wearing hijab,” Sangcopan disclosed.
“The annual observance of Wold Hijab Day is not just for women who choose to wear hijab. It is also not just about non-Muslim women expressing solidarity for women who choose to don it,” the partylist solon stated.
She added: “This is an opportunity for all of us to empower these women - especially if it’s for their freedom to choose how they will live and practice their faith.”