ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 14, 2012) – A local court has ordered the Universidad de Zamboanga on Wednesday to allow female Muslim students to enroll in the school which bans students from wearing hijab and niqab.
Judge Reynerio Estacio, of the Regional Trial Court Branch 14, ordered the school to admit the Muslims students after they questioned the ban on the wearing of veils at the Universidad de Zamboanga.
Estacio issued a writ of preliminary injunction and ordered the university to allow the students to re-enroll.
The Universidad de Zamboanga banned the use of veil among its Muslim students, saying it is the school’s security protocol. But the students said the ban violated their rights.
Warina Sushil Jukuy, the Secretary-General of the Hijaab-Niqaab Advocacy Network, praised the court order and said Estacio “sets example that Philippine justice can grind swiftly when propelled by astuteness, prohibit and sincerity.”
“Judge Estacio erases bigotry against veiled Muslim women in Zamboanga City. Judge Estacio re-bonds the once broken veils, shattered dreams of Mutanaqqibat (niqaab wearing students in Universidad de Zamboanga). He brings hope through right to education for our niqaabis who stopped for one whole semester pending resolution of the case,” she said.
Jukuy said the court order has lightened up their faith in the justice system and that Estacio’s ruling “sends a message across that peace and pro-activity is a way, and never violence.”
There was no immediate statement from the Universidad de Zamboanga.
Pilar College in Zamboanga City also banned the wearing of hijab and niqab among its Muslim students. Various Muslim and human rights groups protested the school’s policy. (Mindanao Examiner)
20