Law signed declaring Feb. 1 hijab awareness day
President Marcos has enacted a law declaring the first day of February of every year as the National Day of Awareness on Hijab and Other Traditional Garments and Attire.
He signed Republic Act No. 12224 on June 18, or 10 years after the first bill seeking to recognize the significance of Feb. 1 was filed in the 16th Congress.
Mr. Marcos said the declaration of the National Day of Awareness on Hijab and Other Traditional Garments and Attire aims to “promote diversity, awareness, and tolerance of the various religions and cultural beliefs through the wearing of indigenous and traditional clothing, head garments and coverings.”
Feb. 1 is observed worldwide as World Hijab Day to recognize millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the head covering as an act of modesty and faith.
In the House of Representatives, the first measure that sought to declare Feb. 1 as National Hijab Day was House Bill No. 5443 filed in February 2015 in the 16th Congress by Anak Mindanao Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman.
