House OKs bill declaring National Hijab Day every Feb. 1

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved the bill seeking the celebration of National Hijab Day every February 1.

House Bill 5693 hurdled the third and final reading during Tuesday’s plenary session, with 274 representatives voting in the affirmative, with no objections and no abstention.

READ: Bill for observance of National Hijab Day hurdles House panel

The bill, filed by Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, would help Filipinos understand the importance of wearing a hijab for Muslims.

Government institutions and schools are also urged to promote an understanding of why Muslims wear the hijab.

Senator Robinhood Padilla, the sole Muslim senator, also filed a similar bill before the Senate.

READ: Padilla wants February 1 observed as National Hijab Day

World Hijab Day is commemorated every February 1. It started in 2013 to recognize millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab or a headscarf.

READ: What my ‘hijab’ means

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