The celebration of World Hijab Day at the Iligan City Public Plaza included the distribution of free hijabs. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — Women from various backgrounds gathered on February 1 at the Public Plaza here to celebrate World Hijab Day.
The event aimed to promote understanding, respect, and inclusivity by highlighting the cultural and religious significance of wearing the hijab, which is a headscarf worn by Muslim women as a symbol of modesty and faith.
Organized by the Office of the Maranao and Higaonon Cultural Communities (OMaHCC), in partnership with the Iligan Bae Rawatun Organization, the event welcomed women from different faiths, cultures, and ethnic groups to join the event.
“Ang World Hijab Day ay hindi lang for Muslim women, naay cultural groups, Christian, and other ethnic groups na nag-wear jud sila og hijab to promote pud sa atong Muslim women sisters, nga naa tay understanding and respect nga gihatag sa syudad sa Iligan,” OMaHCC Officer-in-Charge Nasrollah Mangoranda said.
(World Hijab Day is not just for Muslim women. Cultural groups, Christians, and other ethnic communities also wore the hijab to promote understanding and respect for our Muslim sisters, an initiative supported by the city of Iligan.)
He also shared that the city government has shown strong support for the Muslim community.
Meanwhile, Bae Norhata Macatbar-Alonto, President of the Philippine Muslim Women Council, emphasized in her keynote message the importance of promoting awareness and eradicating stereotypes associated with wearing the hijab.
“Holding events like this will really help foster unity; it will foster tolerance, empathy, and compassion for humanity,” she said.
She also encouraged people, particularly non-Muslims, to step beyond preconceived notions and experience what it is like to wear the hijab, even for a day, to understand Muslim women.
Discussions were also conducted to highlight the cultural and religious significance of the hijab. Participants of the event also received free hijabs. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
