Naheeda M Dimacisil MD Manila- Due to the increasing number of nursing students being asked to remove their veils or hijab during duties in certain hospitals in the country, IMAN-Islamic Medical Association of the Philippines (IMAN) appealed to the Department of Health (DOH) through Sec. Francisco Duque III to allow its use in institutions. In April 29, 2009, DOH released a memo on "Strengthening the Protection of Religious Rights of Muslim workers, including but not limited to Students and Trainees in health facilities." Dr Sherjan Kalim, Vice President of IMAN, initiated the drafting of the request since last year. Although some Muslim students in the country do not wear the hijab strictly, it has become a growing concern for those who practice the modest attire in their workplaces. The DOH Memo 2009-0107 specifically states that "muslim female workers should be allowed to use their veil ( hijab ) and wear their prescribed mode of dressing inside the premises of all h...