PH Coast Guard adds hijab in uniform of its female Muslim personnel

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has approved the inclusion of “hijab” in the uniform of its female Muslim personnel.

The PCG said in a statement that the new policy took effect starting January 25. It also said that the wearing of hijab can be practiced during formation and other outdoor activities but optional when indoor.

The PCG directive requires that the hijab “shall be made of silk or cotton and navy blue or black material.”

Hijab, an Arabic word that means “being covered,” is a veil worn by certain Muslim women to wrap their head as a sign of modesty primarily with respect to the teachings of the Qur’an, Islam’s holy scriptures, which says, “And tell the believing women to … guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof, and to wrap their head coverings…”

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According to PCG, the latest addition to its uniform rules follows the Muslim culture and that Islam demands Muslim women to cover themselves in public and in the presence of people who are not “mahram,” which pertains to family members or people who are authorized to see Muslim women without a hijab or covering.

Members of the Muslim community said they anticipate that the addition of the hijab to the official PCG uniform of its female Muslim personnel will motivate more Muslim women to join the service. — Jericho Zafra, trainee

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KGA