Iligan college apologizes over alleged hijab ban on Muslim students

ILIGAN CITY — The Iligan Medical Center College (IMCC) has apologized amid backlash over allegations that Muslim nursing students were required to remove their hijabs during their capping ceremony and clinical duties.

“It has never been the institution’s intention to cause hurt or make any member of its academic community feel excluded,” the college said in a statement on Monday.

“Moving forward, the institution commits to reviewing and revising its existing uniform policy through multistakeholder consultations, taking into consideration religious and cultural practices, applicable laws, and relevant professional standards,” it added.

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READ: College ban on ‘hijab’ stirs controversy in Northern Mindanao

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The controversy has drawn support from Muslim student organizations, civic leaders and youth groups calling for religious accommodation and the protection of Muslim students’ rights in educational institutions.

Samira Gutoc, a Muslim civic leader and women’s rights advocate, visited IMCC on Nov. 9 to engage its management in a dialogue over the controversy.

Gutoc said the meeting included members and officers of the IMCC Muslim Students Association, a representative of Al-Jalis As-Salih Inc., and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Region 10. The latter explained the religious significance of the hijab and sought the lifting of restrictions on its use.

“We acknowledge their (IMCC management) openness to dialogue regarding the nursing students’ assertion on her hijab wear during the capping ceremony,” Gutoc said in a statement.

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She also said the NCMF Northern Mindanao Legal Division assisted the students in bringing their concern before the management of the Commission on Higher Education.

The Liceo United Muslim Students Association (LUMSA) in Cagayan de Oro City expressed full support for IMCC’s Muslim students amid the alleged restrictions on wearing the hijab.

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“We stand firmly for the protection of their religious freedom, dignity, and right to education,” LUMSA said.

It stressed that Muslim students should not be forced to choose between their religious obligations and academic aspirations.

Akbayan Youth Lanao-Iligan, meanwhile, recognized IMCC’s institutional authority to establish and review policies governing academic excellence, professional standards, and student welfare.

However, the youth group urged the college to ensure that its policies remain inclusive, nondiscriminatory, and respectful of students’ religious and cultural identities.

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It called on IMCC to establish clear guidelines and reasonable accommodations for wearing the hijab, particularly in nursing education and clinical training, while observing legitimate health, safety, hygiene and professional requirements. /mcm