Azerbaijan school hijab ban sparks protests and diplomatic row with Turkey

Protests have erupted in Azerbaijan after new school uniform rules led to teachers and students being denied entry to schools for wearing headscarves. The regulations, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on September 21, prohibit clothing that violates the principle of secularism in education, though the hijab is not explicitly mentioned. The Interior Ministry stated on October 12 that 37 people had been detained for disrupting public order while breaking the new rules.

Impact on Teachers and Students

Gulshan Aliyeva, an English teacher with 23 years of experience, was denied entry to her high school in Baku this week while wearing her headscarf. Her daughter was also prevented from entering, she told Al Jazeera. "I want to fulfil my responsibilities, educate students and continue my career without my religious beliefs becoming an obstacle to my employment," Aliyeva said. She argued that Article 16 of Azerbaijan’s Labour Code prohibits discrimination in employment.

Parents in Baku and other regions report that school administrations have told girls to remove their head scarves or barred them from classes. Gulmira Aslanova, a parent in Baku, said the administration of School No. 172 told her to send her daughter to school without a head scarf. "In our country, secondary education is compulsory, and every student must study at school," Aslanova said. In one video shared on social media, a teenage girl challenged a staff member, asking, "Why should I have to give up my religion?"

Government and Opposition Positions

Zahid Oruj, chairman of the human rights committee of the National Assembly, told Al Jazeera that the measure was not an act of religious discrimination. "There is no ban on wearing headscarves outside school, and the primary objective is to maintain uniform rules within the educational environment," he said. Elnara Akimova, a lawmaker from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), supported the tightened rules, stating, "Children are still in the formation stage. Their worldview, choices, and decisions are often determined by the influence of the family and environment."

Natiq Jafarli, head of the opposition REAL Party, said that imposing restrictions on how adult teachers dress is "the wrong approach," though he suggested compromise arrangements for primary school pupils. Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, described the hijab as "an important religious obligation" but noted that people "cannot oppose the decisions of the state."

Diplomatic Tensions with Turkey

The controversy has strained relations with Turkey, Azerbaijan's closest ally. Oktay Saral, an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called the restrictions "unacceptable" on X. "Leaving a student who covers her head for reasons of faith at the school gate – how can this fit into any conscience, any sense of justice?" Saral wrote. He added, "We expect Azerbaijan to reverse this mistake as soon as possible."

The governing Yeni Azerbaijan Party (YAP) hit back, calling Saral’s comments "irresponsible" and warning they risked harming ties between the two nations. Azerbaijan’s ruling party accused Turkish officials of an "openly defamatory" information campaign. Small demonstrations were held outside Azerbaijan's embassy in Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul.

Why it matters

Azerbaijan is constitutionally secular, with Article 7 defining the country as such and Article 18 establishing the separation of religion and state. However, Article 48 guarantees freedom of conscience. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended in its 2026 annual report that Azerbaijan remain on the State Department's Special Watch List for "severe violations of religious freedom." USCIRF head Vicky Hartzler argued the country should be designated a Country of Particular Concern, stating, "Azerbaijan outwardly claims to support religious freedom, yet inwardly does the opposite."

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Sources

• aljazeera.com: Tensions with teachers, pupils and Turkiye: Inside Azerbaijan’s hijab row | Religion News | Al Jazeera
• rferl.org: Schools In Azerbaijan Turn Away Girls Wearing Hijabs As Debate Over Religious Freedom Intensifies
• bbc.com: School headscarf ban sparks rare protests in Azerbaijan and row with Turkey

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.