THE influence of modernization had somehow contributed to fewer Muslim women wearing hijab, an Islamic religious leader observed.
Hijab is a veil worn by some Muslim women in the presence of any male outside of their immediate family, which usually covers the head and chest.
During the Eid al-Fitr centralized prayer at the Tionko field along Quimpo Boulevard, Barangay 76-A, Mohammad Nassefh Macla, the religious event’s khatib or imam, mentioned in his sermon that the tradition of wearing hijab is slowly not being practiced as much as it was before. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
“Nawawala na ang practice ng pagsusuot ng hijab bunga ng maraming factors. Bunga ng impluwensya sa environment kung ano kinalakihan. Minsan nagmumula sa kultura na kinagagawian sa pamilya (The practice of wearing hijab has slowly faded due to various factors. One of them is the influence of the environment where she is surrounded. Sometimes it’s in the culture practiced by the family),” Macla told reporters Wednesday, June 5.
Macla reiterated the importance of wearing hijab for Muslim women, as it is in accordance to teachings of Quran.
According to Surah 24:31, “women to guard their private parts and draw their khimar (head cover) over their bosoms (or chest)”.
Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Bai Halila Sudagar said that despite being a mandatory practice to wear hijab, some women, especially those not living in the Muslim community, neglect it as they are not open in practicing such tradition.
Sudagar, proponent of “The Hijab Ordinance of Davao City” which was passed on October last year, said the hijab ban alarms and worries Muslim women living in a non-Islamic territory.
She said those living in Davao City are fortunate that the government retained its respect for Muslim women observing Hijab obligation.
With the existing ordinance, Sudagar said it is no longer an excuse for Muslim women not to wear it.
Maguindanaon fashion Designer Nurainie Ampatuan, meanwhile, said some Muslim women would prefer to keep their religious practice private.
“Their mindset is changing. They believe that it doesn’t mean you’re wearing hijab, you are not worshipping Allah,” Ampatuan said.
Despite being influenced by the western fashion and the existence of social media, she said the wearing of hijab must be preserved as it symbolizes the Muslim identity.
Ampatuan, a clothing designer for Hilyah Islamic Designs, said the industry is adjusting to the fashion preferences of the millenials by incorporating traditional hijabs to modern designs, as a way of encouraging more women to wear it.