Muslim workers in private and public healthcare institutions are allowed to wear the hijab, an obligatory Islamic head covering, says Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

Saying this is to strengthen Filipinos' religious freedom and nondiscrimination rights enshrined in the Constitution, the DoH chief issued Department Memorandum No. 2009-0107 on April 29, 2009, in response to reports from the Islamic Medical Association of the Philippines (IMAP) “regarding the plight of Muslim workers,

Students and trainees in the hospitals wherein certain policies and practices infringe on their religious rights.”

Duque emphasized respect for religious freedom as he laid down policies concerning mode of dressing and hijab for Muslims.

“In view hereof, all healthcare institutions, both public and private, are advised to review and ensure that their policies are sensitive to religious rights of healthcare workers, students an trainees,” said Duque.

In a text message, Dr. Sherjan P. Kalim, IMAP vice president for Internal Affairs, said many Muslim female workers and students have experienced being compelled by hospital officials to remove their hijab.

Kalim did not name them, but he said there are at least three hospitals each in Manila and in Zamboanga City that prohibited Muslim workers and students (trainees) from wearing their hijab.

The IMAP official asked for support in spreading the DOH memorandum amidst “the alarming number of reports of Muslim healthcare workers, students and trainees in hospitals and other healthcare institutions that they were asked to remove their veils (hijab) while on duty.”

IMAP is also working to distribute Duque’s D.M. No. 2009-0107 “to all hospitals, nursing and medical schools, and schools for allied health professions...hospital administrators, chief nurses and other health professionals concerned.”

It could be recalled that the then Education Secretary Raul Roco on Oct. 29, 2001, issued Department of Education Order No. 53-2001 called “Strengthening The Protection of Religious Rights of Students” based on the “Constitutional guarantee on the rights of citizens to freedom of religion and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, creed or color.”

Roco said all educational institutions should work hard to ensure students’ rights are protected and strengthened.

Attorney Zainudin “Zen” Malang, a human rights and peace advocate, urged those who are forced to remove their veils or hijab to not remain timid or shy.

“Anyone who experiences being forced to take off their hijab outside the parameters of this circulars should let any Bangsamoro human or civil rights lawyer know so that appropriate legal action can be taken.”

Muslim clerics such as Dr. Ali Jum’ah, the mufti (highest religious leader) of Egypt, said wearing a head covering is a religious obligation, not a mere symbol of religion.

“A Muslim woman is obliged to wear hijab as soon as she reaches puberty, as indicated in the Qur'an, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the consensus of Muslim scholars from early ages of Islam up till now. Hijab is known to be essential and necessary in religion; it is not merely a symbol that distinguishes Muslims from non-Muslims. It is an obligation that forms part and parcel of the Islamic religion,” Mufti Jum’ah said on www.islamonline.net.

The Egyptian Islamic scholar quoted the Qur’an to prove his point. “Allah Almighty says: ‘O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.’” (Al-Ahzab: 59)