The continued discrimination against Filipino Muslim women must end, and this could start with a law mandating the observance of a National Hijab Day.
Senator Robin Padilla stressed this principle at the bicameral conference committee for the measure, as he moved to adopt the House of Representatives’ version of the proposed legislation – even if this means going against the “tradition” of senators supporting the Senate’s position.
“Ito ay isang crusade.”
“Siyempre ang ating minimithi ay ang Hijab Day na ‘yun lang mabigyan ng pansin. Sabi nga ni Rep. Mujiv Hataman, ito ay isang crusade – krusada ito na inilalarawan ang ating paghingi ng atensyon sa ating kababayan sa buong bansa na bigyang pansin ang diskriminasyon sa ating kababayan,” said Padilla, who chaired the bicameral conference committee meeting.
The House version (House Bill 5693) sought the observance of a National Hijab Day, while the Senate version (Senate Bill 1410) sought a National Day for Hijab “and other Traditional Garments and Attire.”
Because of this, the legislator sought the understanding of his fellow senators for his move.
When Senator Pia Cayetano asked him if he was serious with his move, Padilla said, “Yes, Ma’am.”
For his part, House contingent head and Lanao del Norte Representative Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo moved to suspend the bicameral conference.
“I would like to appeal to the Chair and the Senate panel to give us time, for us to have diplomatic channels with our counterparts in the Senate so we can come up with a bill that satisfies everybody,” Dimaporo said.
Padilla earlier filed Senate Bill 1272 – which was incorporated into Senate Bill 1410 – seeking a National Hijab Day on February 1 of every year to show solidarity with Muslim Filipino women and to recognize their wearing of the hijab as a symbol of modesty.
The lawmaker sought to end discrimination especially against Muslim women through “awareness, education and empowerment.”
The senator added the proposed measure 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.”
“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 in Senate Bill 1272.
Aside from Padilla and Dimaporo, present at the bicameral meeting were Senators Pia Cayetano, Nancy Binay and Ronald dela Rosa; and Representatives Mujiv Hataman (Basilan), JC Abalos (4PS party-list), Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur 1st district), and Bai Dimple Mastura (Maguindanao del Norte).
