SOME countries prevent Muslim women from wearing Hijab in workplaces which prompted Davao City Councilor Halila Sudagar to come up with “The Hijab Ordinance of Davao City” that was approved on third and final reading by the City Council on Tuesday, October 2.

“Fortunately, in Davao City, the government retained its respect for Muslim women observing Hijab obligation,” Sudagar said during her privilege speech, adding that the hijab ban alarms and worries Muslim women living in a non-Islamic territory.

The approved ordinance indicates the promotion of and protection of the right, well-being and religious belief of Muslim women to wear hijab, niqab or burqa in school campuses, workplaces, commercial establishments and other private of public places.

This ordinance, however, will still have to consider security and general protection by allowing a female security to remove cover for facial recognition.

“The issue related to security risk raised by countries banning hijab will likewise be addressed in this [ordinance],” Sudagar said.

According to Sudagar, hijab or veil is an outer garment that Muslim women wear to cover their head down to their body as a sacred part of their religious obligation which is believed as protection from sin.