The House Committee on Muslim Affairs approved on Wednesday, Oct. 19, a substitute bill seeking to set Feb. 1 of every year as National Hijab Day.
The substitute measure on House Bills (HB) No. 1363 and 3725 regarding the establishment of National Hijab Day was approved during a virtual regular meeting by the House panel tasked to deliberate on Muslim concerns.
Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. and Committee Chair Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo said he is looking forward to the plenary deliberation, the next step after the committee approval, of the substitute bill.
Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Lone District Rep. Mujiv Hataman hailed the approval because this will be a “step forward” against religious discrimination.
The veteran lawmaker, once the governor of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and an influential voice in the Muslim community, said the bill would also raise awareness about the Muslims’ traditions, culture, and beliefs.
“Isa itong malaking hakbang sa ating pagpupunyagi at pagsisikap laban sa diskriminasyon base sa relihiyon. Umaasa tayo na ngayong Kongreso ay maging ganap na batas na ito (This is a huge step forward to our efforts and work against discrimination based on religion. We are hoping that this will become a law in today’s Congress),” he added.
The measure seeks to declare Feb. 1 of every year as “National Hijab Day,” which Hataman said would open the public’s eyes to the importance of wearing the hijab for Muslims.
Hijab is a head cover worn in public by many Muslims. It symbolizes modesty and privacy, as well as the submission to the Islamic law and customs.
“Ang panukalang ito ay may layong itaas ang antas ng pang-unawa ng lahat tungkol sa tradisyon at kultura ng mga kababayan nating Muslim, partikular sa pagsusuot ng hijab sa hanay ng mga kababaihan. Ito rin ay isang instrumento para labanan ang diskriminasyon base sa relihiyon (This measure seeks to raise the level of understanding of all about the tradition and cultural of our fellow Muslim, particularly the wearing of hijab among women. This is also an instrument to fight discrimination based on religion),” Hataman said.
The Basilan lawmaker authored HB No. 3725 that has been consolidated with HB No. 1363 filed by Maguindanao and Cotabato City 1st District Rep. Bai Dimple Mastura.
The resulting measure comprises the report of the Committee on Muslim Affairs that has been approved by a majority of its members.
This measure has been filed and re-filed since the 16th Congress by then Anak Mindanao Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman.
It was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading during the 17th and 18th Congress, but it failed to get a Senate approval.
Hataman cited the misbeliefs about the wearing of hijab creates discrimination and the wrong response to it, highlighting the need to correct misconceptions and make the public understand that hijabs symbolize respect and dignity in the Muslim community.
“Dahil sa paglaganap ng maling paniniwala ukol dito, madami ang hindi tinatanggap sa mga paaralan, ang hindi natatanggap sa trabaho, ang hindi pinagbebentahan sa mga tindahan, at ang hindi pinaparahan ng mga pampublikong sasakyan (Because of the wrong beliefs about this, many are not being accepted in schools, at work, and not being sold products in stores, and not being allowed in public transportation),” the solon lamented.
Hataman thanked the members of the Committee on Muslim Affairs, particularly Dimaporo, for expediting the approval of this much-needed measure.