With a vote of 21-0-0, the Senate approved on third and final reading a bill authored and sponsored by Senator Robin Padilla, declaring Feb. 1 as the National Day of Awareness on the Hijab and other Traditional Garments and Attire.
Padilla thanked his colleagues for their support for Senate Bill 1410, which he said will go a long way in promoting understanding among cultures, traditions, and faiths.
“Napaka-espesyal po ng araw na ito hindi lamang po para sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim kung hindi para sa lahat ng Pilipinong naghahangad ng mas malalim na pag-unawa sa pagkakaiba ng kultura, tradisyon, at pananampalataya,” the legislator said after the vote.
“Sa ating paghahangad ng isang lipunang walang diskriminasyon, napakahalagang kilalanin at harapin – hindi takasan at iwasan – ang mga partikular na hamon na kinakaharap ng isang komunidad.”
“Sa ating paghahangad ng isang lipunang walang diskriminasyon, napakahalagang kilalanin at harapin – hindi takasan at iwasan – ang mga partikular na hamon na kinakaharap ng isang komunidad,” the lawmaker added.
For his part, Senate President Migz Zubiri congratulated Padilla, saying this “is your first measure as senator.”
Senate Bill 1410 was prepared by the Senate Committees on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs chaired by Padilla; and Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.
It upholds the voluntary exercise of religious profession and worship, free from coercion or discrimination.
“To promote diversity, awareness and tolerance of religious and cultural beliefs expressed through the wearing of indigenous clothing, head garments and coverings, such as but not limited to hijab, sinulog and tapis. Feb. 1st is hereby declared as the ‘National Day for Awareness on the Hijab and Other Traditional Garments and Attire,'” the bill said.
However, the bill also makes it clear that there is no requirement to wear or not to wear a particular attire, garment or clothing.
“To declare Feb. 1 as National Hijab Day is 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.”
Senate Bill 1410 is a substitute for Senate Bill 1272, which Padilla filed to declare Feb. 1 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.”
In filing the bill, Padilla stressed the need to end discrimination especially against Muslim women through “awareness, education and empowerment.”
Also, the senator noted his bill aims to counter the “colonial mentality” where the hijab symbolizes the oppression of women.
