Headscarf Rules Spark Tension in Azerbaijan Schools

The debate over headscarves in Azerbaijani public schools has become a personal struggle for teacher Gulshan Aliyeva, who fears for her career and her daughter's education.

According to Al Jazeera, the English teacher with 23 years of experience said she arrived at school wearing a headscarf this past week but was refused entry. Her daughter was also barred from entering her secondary school in Baku.

"I want to fulfill my duty, teach my students and continue my career without my religious belief becoming an obstacle to my employment," Aliyeva said, citing Article 16 of Azerbaijan's Labor Code on the prohibition of discrimination in employment.

Last month, new regulations did not explicitly name the headscarf but banned students from wearing clothing that violates secular principles in education. Protests have erupted in the country, where more than 90 percent of the population is Muslim.

Aliyeva is among many teachers and students denied entry to schools. On Monday, the Interior Ministry said 37 people had been detained for disturbing public order in violation of the new rules.

"Our constitutional rights to work and study, which must not be obstructed, must be guaranteed," Aliyeva said, adding she would continue going to school and take the matter to the authorities if necessary.

The Baku city education department announced it would monitor schools to assess compliance.

In an interview with local media on Tuesday, Caucasus Muslim leader Allahshukur Pashazade said the headscarf is an "important religious duty." He said people "cannot oppose state decisions" but can express "views as citizens," while criticizing protesters for affecting schools.

He also said the issue is being exploited for political purposes and called on critics to work with the relevant ministers.

Not everyone believes the restrictions infringe on individual rights. Timur Rzayev, a Baku resident, believes the controversy has been overly politicized. In his view, the government's uniform policy should be followed "instead of debating it."

"There is a government decision on implementing the uniform dress code," he said, expressing opposition to girls under 18 wearing headscarves, arguing such a decision usually reflects parents' wishes rather than the child's own aspirations.

That view reflects a broader concern among some Azerbaijanis that religious practice should not be mixed with public education. "We are a secular state that respects the rights of believers," he said.

During the Soviet era, the state restricted religious practice and did not allow people to freely follow religious traditions. After independence, those restrictions were eased, allowing people greater freedom to practice their faith.

Natiq Jafarli, leader of the opposition REAL party, said the issue of students wearing headscarves needs further discussion, but he supports seeking compromise, especially for younger students.

"The issue concerning female students needs to be discussed. Public schools should have certain compromises for primary school students," he said, adding that teachers are adults and imposing restrictions on how they dress is the wrong approach.

Tension with Turkey

The controversy has also affected Azerbaijan's closest relationship on the international stage. Oktay Saral, an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called Azerbaijan's move "unacceptable."

"For a female student to stand at the school gate wearing a headscarf for reasons of faith – how can this be consistent with anyone's conscience or sense of justice?" he wrote on X.

The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) hit back on Tuesday, saying Saral's "irresponsible" comments risk harming relations between the two close allies.

Zahid Oruj, chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament's human rights committee, said the measure is not religious discrimination or an attack on freedom of speech.

"There is no ban on wearing the headscarf outside school, and the main goal is to maintain the uniform dress code in the educational environment," he told Al Jazeera, adding that many Azerbaijanis do not wear headscarves but still revere the Quran and believe in God, showing that disagreement over school dress should not be equated with religious hostility.

The Azerbaijani National NGO Forum also criticized what it described as the politicization of the debate. Azerbaijan's secular character is enshrined in its constitution: Article 7 defines the country as a secular state; Article 18 establishes the separation of religion and state, stipulating the secular nature of the public education system; while Article 48 guarantees freedom of conscience.

These provisions place secular education and religious freedom within the same constitutional framework, raising questions about how the state reconciles them when regulating dress in public schools.

Azer Rashidoglu, chairman of the Azerbaijan-based Public Association for the Study of Tolerance, believes the new regulation is inconsistent with the Constitution and that those affected should challenge the measures.

"Those whose rights are violated should together seek legal remedies through the courts and pursue their goal by peaceful, lawful means," he said.