Muslim exec says nothing wrong with DepEd order

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - An Official of the National Commission on Muslim Filipino (NCMF) said there is nothing wrong  about the Department of Education (DepEd)  order for Muslim women teacher to remove their face veil or ‘niqab’ while teaching inside a classroom.

“There is nothing wrong with the Department of Education order to remove the ‘niqab’ of the teachers or students in their classroom because the purpose is for better learning and understanding,” said Dennison Abidin, acting regional director of NCMF.

“It might not be good for students if they don’t known whom they are talking to,” Abidin said while reiterating that he has not received any copy of the memorandum or order from the national office and from the DepEd and that his statement was his personal opinion.

The DepEd order issued last July 16 and signed by Secretary  Armin Luistro specified that the wearing of niqab (face veil) or ustadja is allowed outside the classroom. However, when inside the classroom the ustadja is requested to be removed.

The DepEd cited the reasons for proper identification of the teachers by the pupils, thus promoting better teacher-pupil relationship; and in support of effective language teaching, recognition and discrimination of letters and their sounds are enhanced. Lip formation significantly helps in the correct production of the letter sound.

Abidin  said the DepEd order does not constitute any violation to the practice of Islam religion.