01/02/2024
FEBRUARY 1, 2024| Gender and Development- Mindanao State University Maguindanao supports the WORLD HIJAB DAY on every 1st day of February with the theme "Veiled in Strength". The House of Representatives of the Philippines approved 1 February as "Annual National Hijab Day" to promote an understanding of the Muslim tradition in 2021 but it was introduced and founded first by Nazma Khan in 2013 participated by more than 140 countries worldwide.
The purpose of the celebration is to raise awareness on the importance of hijab and why hijabophobia has to stop. As Jackline Urejeni from Rwanda, serving in South Sudan said "Women are effective in building peace and unity. Meaning, with our hijab it symbolizes that we are part of the decision making to create peace and unity.
The Hijab is more than just a covering for the heads of a women, It serves as a declaration of their moral principles, a mark of their devotion to their faith and culture, and a continual reminder of the respect and decency they are due.
In addition, hijabophobia is one of the factor why most women have been discriminated by the society. "Hijabophobia is a type of religious and cultural discrimination against Muslim women who wear the hijab.[1] The discrimination has had manifestations in public, working and educational places."