The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos on Thursday backed the passage of the National Hijab Day bill authored by Sen. Robinhood Padilla.
At a news conference at the Quezon Memorial Circle Amphitheater in Quezon City, Dalisay Macadawan, NCMF commissioner for women sector, said their observance of the National Hijab Day is a testament that the Quezon City government as well as the national government support the passage of the National Hijab Day Bill into a law.
“To wear a scarf or hijab signifies submission to Islam. Muslim women must observe the wearing of Hijab,” she said.
“Hijab concerns Muslim women. It is to encourage women of all background to observe the wearing of Hijab. Feb. 1 is observed as the World Hijab Day,” she added. Rio N. Araja
Television host-actress Mariel Rodriguez, Padilla’s wife, called on the public not to look down at Muslim women wearing hijab.
“Jihabists do not just do household chores. They are professionals, too,” she told the media.
“Wearing a hijab does not make a women less different,” she added.
She echoed Padilla's belief that the bill’s approval would empower Muslim women, address discrimination, and recognize their human rights
“I stand with all the hijabists,” she said.
Ashliya Limbona, commissioner of the Culture and Arts of the Philippine Commission on Women, said “wherever we go, as a symbol that we are Muslims, we should wear hijab.”