MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has approved the inclusion of 鈥渉ijab鈥� in the uniform of its female Muslim personnel.
The PCG said in a statement that the new policy took effect starting January 25. It also said that the wearing of hijab can be practiced during formation and other outdoor activities but optional when indoor.
The PCG directive requires that the hijab 鈥渟hall be made of silk or cotton and navy blue or black material.鈥�
Hijab, an Arabic word that means 鈥渂eing covered,鈥� is a veil worn by certain Muslim women to wrap their head as a sign of modesty primarily with respect to the teachings of the Qur鈥檃n, Islam鈥檚 holy scriptures, which says, 鈥淎nd tell the believing women to 鈥� guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof, and to wrap their head coverings鈥︹��
According to PCG, the latest addition to its uniform rules follows the Muslim culture and that Islam demands Muslim women to cover themselves in public and in the presence of people who are not 鈥渕ahram,鈥� which pertains to family members or people who are authorized to see Muslim women without a hijab or covering.
Members of the Muslim community said they anticipate that the addition of the hijab to the official PCG uniform of its female Muslim personnel will motivate more Muslim women to join the service. 鈥� Jericho Zafra, trainee