DAVAO CITY—A Muslim councilor of Davao City expressed all-out support for the local government decision to check the faces of Muslim women wearing burqa and niqab.
Councilor Halila Sudagar believes that the move is necessary as she also downplays insinuations that it is discriminatory against Muslims or disrespectful of their religion.
The policy, proposed by security officials to Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte following the September 2 blast that killed 15 people and wounded 69 others, also discourages wearing other garments that cover the faces such as balaclavas, sunglasses, caps, masks or even paints.
Muslim women wearing niqab or burqa will be asked by authorities to show their faces when they are in public places such as malls and parks.
Mayor Duterte earlier said the sentiments of Muslims women are understandable as she stressed her suggestion that “you wear the hijab which shows your face or cooperate with the security personnel and show your face if you are wearing the burqa.”
Sudagar said security protocol is consistent with the objective of the local government to protect the public from lawless elements.
“For the purpose of achieving lasting peace, both for Muslims and non-Muslims, I humbly suggest that we cooperate with the authorities,” she said. “For those who wear niqab and burqa, let us submit ourselves for appropriate inspection, and remove the face cover if necessary under given circumstances.”
Sudagar said there are terrorist groups that use Muslim clothing to cover themselves.
“We are aware that some terrorists, pretending to be Muslims, take advantage of wearing hijab and niqab to conceal their identities, thus evading apprehension or identification by authorities,” she said.
She also said that it is high time to show the public that Muslims are against terrorism.
