Robin Leads First Commemoration of World Hijab Day in Senate

While there is still a long way to go, the first positive steps have been taken to drum up public consciousness about our Muslim brethren through the commemoration of World Hijab Day.

Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla stressed this on Wednesday as he led a program marking the occasion at the Senate.

Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Cultural Committees and Muslim Affairs, said he is glad that many women in the Senate, including Christians, wore the hijab as a show of unity with their Muslim brethren.

"Napakasarap na makita ang mga nagsusuot ng hijab, nakangiti - at sila ay excited. May Almighty God bless you all (It is very good to see you wearing hijab and smiling and excited. May Almighty God bless you all)," said Padilla.

He said that by wearing the hijab, women will experience the trials that Muslim women go through, including discrimination. He noted this is not a matter of religion but of culture.

"Malungkot man sabihin, marami pa tayong kababayan ang hindi nakakaintindi ng ibig sabihin ng hijab (Sad to say, many Filipinos still do not understand the significance of wearing a hijab)," he lamented.

Because of this, Padilla urged Muslims and non-Muslims alike to listen to the voices of hijabi, or women who wear the hijab.

Padilla also voiced hopes Senate Bill 1410, which he co-authored to institutionalize National Hijab Day in the Philippines on Feb. 1, will be passed in the 19th Congress.

"Sana ngayong Congress na ito sa Mataas at Mababang Kapulungan, maipasa na ito (I hope it will be passed by the Senate and House of this Congress)," aniya.

At the program, a letter from Nazma Khan, who started the World Hijab Day, thanking Padilla for bringing hope to Muslim women.

"Thank you for being a beacon of hope for myself and our Muslim sisters worldwide," she said.

Among those who attended the program was Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who with Padilla co-authored a bill for National Hijab Day on Feb. 1.

Padilla also paid tribute to the Bangsamoro Parliament for passing last Jan. 25 Resolution No. 162, which supports setting Feb. 1 as National Hijab Day.

He likewise thanked Commissioner Bai Norhata Alonto, Commissioner Dalisay Alliah Macadawan, Atty. Rohaira Lao, Ms. Princess Habiba Sarip, Atty. Maisara Dandamun-Latiph, and Director Shey Mohammad for taking part in the program.

Meanwhile, Padilla thanked as well Senate Secretariat led by Secretary Renato "Rey" Bantug, and Gender and Development Focal System chairperson Atty. Maria Valentina S. Santa-Cruz.

Robin, Pinangunahan ang Unang Komemorasyon ng World Hijab Day sa Senado

Bagamat malayo pa ang landas na tatahakin, may mga unang hakbang nang nagawa para mapalawig ang kamalayan ukol sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim sa pamamagitan ng World Hijab Day.

Iginiit ito nitong Miyerkules ni Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla, na nanguna sa isang programa sa Senado upang isulong ang paggunita ng nasabing okasyon.

Natuwa si Padilla, ang tagapangulo ng Senate Committee on Cultural Committees and Muslim Affairs, na maraming kababaihan sa Senado - kabila ng ang mga Kristyano - ay nakasuot ng hijab bilang pakikiisa sa kanilang kapatid na Muslim.

"Napakasarap na makita ang mga nagsusuot ng hijab, nakangiti - at sila ay excited. May Almighty God bless you all," ani Padilla.

Ayon sa mambabatas, sa pamamagitan ng pagsuot ng hijab, maranasan ng mga kababaihan "ang pinagdadaanan ng mga kapatid ninyong Muslim." Iginiit din niya na hindi ito usapin ng relihiyon kundi pakikipag-kapwa tao.

"Malungkot man sabihin, marami pa tayong kababayan ang hindi nakakaintindi ng ibig sabihin ng hijab," dagdag niya.

Dahil dito, hinimok niya ang lahat, Muslim man o hindi, na makinig at makilubog sa karanasan ng mga hijabi, o kababaihang sumusuot ng hijab.

Umaasa din si Padilla na maipasa ngayong Kongreso ang panukalang batas Senate Bill 1410 - kung saan isa siya sa may-akda - na itinatatag ang National Hijab Day sa Pilipinas sa ika-1 ng Pebrero.

"Sana ngayong Congress na ito sa Mataas at Mababang Kapulungan, maipasa na ito," aniya.

Binasa sa palatuntunan ang isang liham mula kay Nazma Khan, na nagsimula ng World Hijab Day, kung saan pinasalamatan niya si Padilla para sa pagdala ng pag-asa.

"Thank you for being a beacon of hope for myself and our Muslim sisters worldwide," aniya.

Kasama sa mga dumalo sa programa si Sen. Risa Hontiveros, kapwang may-akda ng panukalang nagsusulong na gawing Pambansang Araw ng Hijab ang ika-1 ng Pebrero.

Nagbigay pugay din ni Padilla sa Bangsamoro Parliament na pumasa nitong ika-25 ng Enero ng Resolusyon No. 162. Sa resolusyon ay isinaad ng Bangsamoro Parliament ang buong suporta para gawing Pambansang Araw ng Hijab ang ika-1 ng Pebrero.

Pinasalamatan din ni Padilla sina Commissioner Bai Norhata Alonto, Commissioner Dalisay Alliah Macadawan, Atty. Rohaira Lao, Ms. Princess Habiba Sarip, Atty. Maisara Dandamun-Latiph, at Director Shey Mohammad na nakilahok sa programa.

Nagbigay pugay din siya sa Senate Secretariat sa pangunguna ni Secretary Renato "Rey" Bantug, at ng tagapangulo ng Gender and Development Focal System, Atty. Maria Valentina S. Santa-Cruz.