UP Diliman Offices Stand in Solidarity Through the UP Hijab Challenge

In celebration of World Hijab Day and as part of its Gender and Development (GAD) program, the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS), in partnership with the Harmony and Wisdom Foundation, conducted the UP Hijab Challenge on January 30, 2026. The activity invited select offices within the University of the Philippines Diliman to take part in wearing the hijab for a day as a gesture of solidarity with Muslim women.

The event aimed to foster respect for religious freedom and expression, promote diversity, and encourage meaningful dialogue among people of different faiths and backgrounds.

This year, around fifty non-Muslim faculty members, staff, and students participated in the Hijab Challenge. During the activity, UP IIS staff visited participating offices to provide a brief background on World Hijab Day, discuss its objectives and significance, and highlight the discrimination often faced by Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab. The discussion emphasized the importance of addressing such prejudice through cultural appreciation and inclusivity.

Questions and common misconceptions about the hijab were also addressed–an important step in promoting a deeper understanding of the hijab not merely as a garment, but as a symbol of identity, faith, and strength for Muslim women.

Throughout the activity, several participants shared their experiences, noting that wearing the hijab allowed them to better appreciate the challenges faced by Muslim women and to develop a deeper respect for their culture and beliefs.