Politics · Other · 9 hrs ago
Azerbaijan school dress rules spark protests over hijabs
Azerbaijan has changed its school dress rules to bar clothing that authorities say violates the country’s secular principle.
The amendment does not explicitly ban the hijab, but some schools have stopped students and teachers wearing it from attending classes.
The rule has prompted protests and boycotts at some schools, with videos showing students upset as they are turned away.
About 96 percent of Azerbaijan’s population identifies as Muslim, while the constitution defines the country as secular and guarantees religious freedom.
The government says the rules are intended to create a unified dress code.
Protests have also taken place in Turkiye, where demonstrators have called on Azerbaijan’s government to reconsider the restrictions.
Azerbaijan’s president criticised outside interference without naming Turkiye, and no further government action is described.
Azerbaijan’s rules on school clothing have sparked protests after some schools barred students and teachers wearing hijabs from attending classes.
An amendment approved last month prohibits clothing that the government says violates the principle of secularism, without explicitly naming the hijab.
Local media reported that students at at least two schools boycotted classes over the restrictions.
Protests and a social media campaign also spread to Turkiye, where demonstrators gathered outside Azerbaijan’s consulate in Istanbul.
Azerbaijan’s constitution defines the country as secular and guarantees religious freedom.
- Who
- Students and teachers affected by the restrictions, alongside protesters; the rules were approved by the Azerbaijani government.
- What
- School clothing rules have been used to prevent some students and teachers wearing hijabs from attending classes, prompting protests.
- When
- The amendment was approved last month. Protests followed, with a demonstration in Istanbul last week.
- Where
- Azerbaijan, with related protests outside Azerbaijan’s consulate in Istanbul, Turkiye.
- Why
- The government says the rules ensure a unified dress code reflecting secularism. Protesters object to restrictions on wearing the hijab.
Azerbaijani government
Protesters opposing the restrictions
Purpose of school clothing rules
Azerbaijani government
The government says the amendment ensures a unified dress code that reflects the country’s secular principle.
Protesters opposing the restrictions
Protesters say the restrictions trample constitutional rights and object to preventing hijab-wearing students and teachers from attending classes.
Hijab restrictions
Azerbaijani government
The amendment bars clothing the government says violates secularism, without explicitly naming the hijab.
Protesters opposing the restrictions
Protesters argue that wearing the hijab is a personal choice and have called on authorities to reconsider the decision.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a United Nations General Assembly address that Muslim women were facing increasing discrimination.
Azerbaijan approved an amendment barring school clothing that the government says violates the principle of secularism.
Protests began as some schools prevented students and teachers from attending classes.
Demonstrators gathered outside Azerbaijan’s consulate in Istanbul to protest the restrictions.
- Population identifying as Muslim
- About 96 percent
- Amendment
- Approved last month
- Schools with reported class boycotts
- At least two
- Polad Aslanov’s sentence
- 113 years
- Hunger strike
- Launched by Polad Aslanov over the new requirements
What people are saying
To be honest, I am a little emotional. I am hurt.
[The hijab] is a personal choice, and if one day I want to take it off, that should be my choice too.
Despite being in prison, I am raising my voice against the trampling of our constitutional rights by employing the only means of struggle available to me – a hunger strike!
interfere with our lifestyle
Sources
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