Azerbaijan Bans Hijab in Schools: Protests Erupt Over Secular Dress Code
Theo Al Jazeera
Azerbaijan's government has effectively banned the hijab in schools through a dress-code amendment barring clothing deemed to violate "secular principles," despite Muslims making up about 96 percent of the population. The move has sparked protests, class boycotts, and a hunger strike by jailed journalist Polad Aslanov, while demonstrations have also spread to Turkey.
A decision by the Azerbaijani government to indirectly ban students and staff from wearing the hijab in schools has triggered protests. Last week, the country's parliament passed an amendment describing uniforms for students at state general-education institutions. The amendment does not explicitly mention a ban on the Muslim headscarf, but it prohibits clothing the government deems to violate "secular principles" in schools.
The decision has ignited protests as some schools begin barring students and teachers from entering classrooms. Teacher Zahra Hasanova told Al Jazeera she was informed she could no longer wear the hijab at school. "To be honest, I was a bit emotional. I felt hurt," she said. "[The hijab] is a personal choice, and if one day I want to take it off, that must be my choice too."
How has the ban been implemented?
Azerbaijan's state news agency (APA) said the amendment aims to ensure a unified dress code that reflects the country's "secular principles." About 96 percent of Azerbaijan's population is Muslim. The country's constitution defines the nation as secular while also guaranteeing religious freedom.
APA added that clothing reflecting "the history, culture, and national, moral values of the Azerbaijani people" may be worn on commemorative occasions, with the approval of the Pedagogical Council under the Ministry of Science and Education. Such clothing ensures teachers display "professional standards" and would have a positive impact on the "public reputation of the school," according to APA.
Have there been protests?
The measure has sparked protests and a social media campaign in Azerbaijan. Viral videos showed students hugging teachers and weeping as they were refused entry to school. Local media reported that students at at least two schools in Azerbaijan boycotted classes to protest the restrictions.
Jailed journalist Polad Aslanov, who is serving a 113-year prison sentence after being convicted of treason in 2020, went on a hunger strike to protest the new requirements. "Even though I am in prison, I still speak out against the trampling of our constitutional rights by using the only means of struggle available — a hunger strike!" Aslanov wrote in a message posted on Facebook by his wife, Gulmira Aslanova.
Reports of internet shutdowns have not been confirmed by data from monitoring organizations, including the Open Observatory of Network Interference and NetBlocks.
How have other countries reacted?
A social media campaign followed by protests also spread to Turkey. Some compared the developments in Azerbaijan to Turkey's 1997 "postmodern coup," when women who wore headscarves were banned from university classes and dismissed from public sector jobs or forced to resign.
Last week, protesters gathered outside the Azerbaijani consulate in Istanbul to oppose the restrictions affecting Muslim women, calling on the Baku authorities to reconsider the decision. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued an implicit criticism of Turkey, a strong ally of Azerbaijan, over the protests. In a speech at his New Azerbaijan Party congress, Aliyev warned against "interfering in our way of life" without directly naming Turkey.
The Ankara authorities did not officially respond to Aliyev's comments. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned in his September 23 speech at the United Nations General Assembly that Muslim women are facing growing discrimination.
