An official of the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos-Davao Region (NCMF-Davao Region) emphasized that an education and information campaign is needed to generate awareness and understanding of the wearing of hijab among Muslim women employees and students in their workplaces and schools.
Samer Musa Allong, commissioner of NCMF-Davao Region, said that Muslim women employees and students have to follow the said policy concerning their culture and tradition.
The NCMF is mandated to preserve and develop the culture, tradition, institutions, and well-being of Muslim Filipinos, in conformity with the country’s laws and consonance with national unity and development.
“Naa ta’y mga polisiya nato diri sa guidelines. Ang atong mga kababaihan nga mu-trabaho sa mga establishments, tanggalon ang hijab, pasuoton ug fit na sinina, and atong mga estudyante nga naa na sa college naa’y mga security personnel na usahay ipatanggal ang ilahang veil, ang atong medical practitioners ug medical students naay mga laboratories nga kailangan tanggalon ilahang veil. Nahatagan nato na ug attention ug protektahan sila,” Allong said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media forum on Wednesday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Allong said a serious education and information campaign is needed because there are still many students who are asking for the help of the commission.
According to him, these students and employees have to submit the guidelines or policy to the school administration and their company for them to be fully aware of the policy.
“After sa resolution ginahatag nato na sa mga implementing agencies like TESDA, DepEd, ug Dole, aron ipa-ensure nga ma-implement na nga mga polisiya,” he said.
Allong said all schools in Davao City have implemented and followed the wearing of hijab policy.
“Diri sa Davao City nagapasalamat ang Muslim community sa paghatag ug respeto sa atong mga igsoon na Muslim. Ang Muslim wala gapangayo ug special attention or treatment pero isip usa ka citizen sa Pilipinas just like other tribes and culture importante nga mahatagan ug respeto ang culture ug tradition,” he said.
He also thanked the companies and schools that allowed students and women employees to wear hijabs, especially during Ramadan.
“Ang mga students ug empleyado kailangan nila i-perform they have to pray 5 times a day and usahay maigo nila ang schedules sa regular class or working hours. Naay mga considerations nga ginahimo ang ubang companies pero uban na wala nakahibalo niani, we can still adjust,” he said.
