Philippines: Senate Bill Proposes Mandatory Muslim Prayer Rooms in Public Offices
Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Bill (SB) 2288, known as the Act Mandating the Establishment of Muslim Prayer Rooms in All Public Offices, the Daily Tribune reported on Friday.
If passed, this bill would require all public offices and establishments nationwide to designate and set up at least one separate Muslim prayer room within their premises.
Villar stated that the responsibility for providing and maintaining these prayer rooms would fall on the respective public offices and establishments.
He noted that some public offices have already begun creating prayer rooms for Muslim believers in anticipation of SB 2288's enactment.
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“It is my honor to be a catalyst of change for our Muslim brothers and sisters. The Islamic faith mandates our Muslim brothers and sisters to pray five times each day. As such, this representation filed Senate Bill No. 2288 or the Act Mandating the Establishment of Muslim Prayer Rooms in All Public Offices and Establishments to guarantee them prayer rooms where they can perform their prayers in a quiet, dry, and clean place,” Villar said in a statement on Friday.
Villar emphasized the need for the bill by pointing out the lack of adequate spaces for Filipino Muslims. “Mr. Chair, as a predominantly Catholic nation, I acknowledge that while our Constitution ensures the free exercise and enjoyment of religious beliefs, without discrimination or preference, there remains a gap in providing the proper spaces for other faiths to practice their religion in public areas,” he said.
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He also stressed the importance of promoting a Muslim-friendly environment in the Philippines. “I believe that our Muslim brothers and sisters deserve sufficient space to practice their faith, and I am glad to provide that springboard for the Muslims to practice their religious rights,” he added.
Source: Agencies
