In a country whose population is majority Muslim and whose constitution stipulates the separation of religion and state and guarantees freedom of religion, disputes are escalating in Azerbaijan over the new dress code in public schools. Protests erupted over restrictions on wearing the Islamic hijab. The police arrested dozens, according to the German newspaper Berlin Zeitung.
What happened?
Last month, the government announced rules prohibiting male and female students from wearing clothing that differs from the official uniform or conflicts with the secular character of public education.
Although these rules do not explicitly address the hijab, a number of protests erupted recently after reports of “preventing” the entry of some female students and teachers who wear the hijab to schools. It is believed that some institutions interpreted the new government rules as a ban on wearing the hijab.
Until now, there is no information available about the total number of female students or teachers who have been prevented from entering schools, and the extent of the consistency in implementing these rules across the country is still unknown, according to what the “Blue News” website reported.
Massive protests
The Azerbaijani Interior Ministry said it arrested 37 people on charges of disturbing public order while opposing the implementation of the rules. No information was published about the identities of those arrested or the charges against each of them.
The Azerbaijani police also opened a criminal investigation under Article 233 of the Azerbaijani Penal Code. This article relates to organizing actions that lead to disruption of public order or actual participation in them.
The reasons for these protests are complaints that girls wearing the Islamic hijab were prevented from attending lessons in a number of schools. Parents also explained that school administrations asked their daughters to remove the hijab.
The Azerbaijani "Baku" website explained that violent riots broke out, as demonstrators forcefully stormed a school building while lessons were in progress. They also smashed glass doors and windows.
Reports indicated that male and female students boycotted lessons in solidarity with their affected colleagues, and demanded that girls who wear the hijab be allowed again to participate in the educational process.
Azerbaijan defends its decision!
On the other hand, Azerbaijan stuck to its decision. About two weeks ago, the government issued Resolution No. 325, which regulates the dress code for male and female teachers. The website of the Berlin Zeitung newspaper noted that the decision stipulates that clothing must be clean, simple, and professional, and that it must also be consistent with the secular character of the government education system.
The Education Department in the capital, Baku, also announced that it will intensify inspections in public schools to verify compliance with regulations. The administration indicated that the goal is to “ensure an organized and unified educational environment.” The Education Department did not address complaints related to preventing female students who wear the hijab from attending lessons.
"Crisis" with Türkiye!
In light of these developments, what a Turkish official posted on social media angered Baku. Counselor Aktay Saral wrote on the “X” platform that it is “unacceptable” to deprive female students in Azerbaijan who wear the hijab of the right to education. He continued, "The hijab is not an obstacle, but rather a requirement of religious belief." We expect Azerbaijan to reverse this mistake as soon as possible.”
In light of this, Baku asked its close ally, Türkiye, not to interfere in its internal affairs. The "New Azerbaijan" party denounced Chancellor Aktay Saral's comments, describing them as "populist and irresponsible." He said it threatens to negatively affect relations between the two close allies. The party also warned Ankara against exploiting Azerbaijan's educational policies to achieve political goals, he said. The party did not include a number of Turkish figures and officials who criticized the new rules in the neighboring country.
