The Philippine Coast Guard approved the wearing of the veil by Muslim female soldiers in its ranks, and published on its website illustrative pictures of the veil and its design, which stipulated that it be of cotton or silk, and that it be dark blue or black.
According to the decision, Muslim women who join this important force in guarding the maritime borders of the Philippine archipelago can wear the veil while performing their duty.
A statement from the border guards expressed their understanding of the place of the veil in the lives of Muslim women, and its legal ruling in the religion of Islam.
PCG APPROVES INCLUSION OF 'HIJAB' IN THE UNIFORM OF FEMALE MUSLIM PERSONNEL
The @coastguardph has approved the inclusion of 'HIJAB' in the uniform of female Muslim Coast Guard personnel effective on 25 January 2022. pic.twitter.com/OoSqZK6Mab
— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) February 3, 2022
This decision was welcomed by the Muslims of the Philippines, and some of them expected that it would push more Muslim girls to join the Coast Guard, an armed civilian force affiliated with the Ministry of Communications.
These forces protect the coasts of the Philippine Islands, including trade routes, property, ecological life, marine resources and law enforcement.
The Coast Guard also organizes monitoring and guarding patrols in the surrounding seas and 13 marine areas from the north to the south of the country, including what overlooks the South China Sea, which is witnessing tension with China, which is expanding in the region, including what is close to the Malaysian coast in the south.
welcome and encouragement
The Philippine Commission on Human Rights welcomed this decision, considering it an acknowledgment of the right of Muslim women to practice their religion and freedom of expression, and it is an application of the principle of recognition and respect for the rights of Muslim women from the Moro people - who live in the southern Philippines - to "practice, advocate, protect and preserve" their culture and traditions and what is related to that. institutions.
The Commission called on the Philippine border guards to take policies to ensure that Muslim women are not subjected to any discrimination when they wear the hijab and exercise what is related to their freedom of belief.
OHCHR encouraged other government agencies and bodies, as well as in the private sector, to follow the Philippine Coast Guard's mandate to allow Muslim women to practice their religion, and for women to be free to wear "religious clothing" without discrimination, which OHCHR considered that this would enhance respect and appreciation. Mutual relations between different religions and cultures, and these are important building blocks for consolidating social harmony.
It is noteworthy that the Philippine army and police launched a program for veiled female soldiers in August 2017, then in the summer and winter of 2018, during the war launched by the government to regain the Muslim-majority city of Marawi (southern Philippines) from the control of the Islamic State. Peacekeeping missions and displaced persons in the Muslim-majority provinces of Mindanao.