Protests have erupted in Azerbaijan after new school dress code rules placed restrictions on wearing hijabs in educational institutions. The changes have triggered classroom boycotts, public demonstrations and criticism from people who believe the rules limit religious freedom.
The controversy has also raised questions about how Azerbaijan balances its secular education system with the right to practise religion. Videos circulating on social media reportedly show emotional students embracing teachers who were prevented from entering school premises. Local media have also reported that students at two or more schools boycotted classes in protest.
What Do the New School Rules Say?
The amendment was approved last month and does not explicitly ban the Muslim headscarf. However, it restricts clothing that authorities consider inconsistent with the principle of secularism.
According to the state-run Azerbaijani Press Agency, the changes aim to standardise uniforms in state general education institutions. Authorities say the regulations are intended to ensure that school clothing requirements follow the country’s secular principles.
The revised rules also allow clothing that reflects Azerbaijan’s history, culture and national values during celebrations. However, such clothing requires approval from the Pedagogical Council, which operates under the Ministry of Science and Education.
Critics argue that the rules could restrict individual choices about religious clothing, particularly for Muslim women who consider the hijab an important part of their faith.
Teachers and Students Express Opposition
Teacher Zahra Hasanova said she was informed that she could no longer wear her hijab at school. Speaking to an international media outlet, she expressed disappointment over the decision and argued that wearing or removing a headscarf should be a personal choice.
Her case has become part of the wider debate over how the new rules affect teachers and students who wear religious clothing.
Reports of teachers being prevented from entering schools have added to public anger. Some students have reportedly responded by refusing to attend classes, while online campaigns have drawn attention to the restrictions.
The protests reflect a broader disagreement over whether uniform policies should take priority over personal religious expression in public educational institutions.
Religious Freedom and Azerbaijan’s Secular System
Azerbaijan has a predominantly Muslim population, with around 96 percent of its people identifying as Muslim. At the same time, its Constitution defines the country as a secular state and guarantees freedom of religion.
The new regulations have therefore raised questions about how these constitutional protections apply within public schools.
Supporters of the rules argue that standardised dress codes help maintain the secular character of state education. Opponents say restrictions on religious clothing may interfere with individual rights and could prevent some teachers from working in their chosen profession.
The disagreement has become a sensitive issue because it involves education policy, religious identity and the role of the state in regulating personal expression.
Imprisoned Journalist Reportedly Begins Hunger Strike
The controversy has also drawn attention beyond schools. Imprisoned journalist Polad Aslanov reportedly began a hunger strike in protest against the new requirements.
Aslanov was sentenced to 16 years in prison following his 2020 conviction for high treason. His wife, Gulmira Aslanova, shared a message on Facebook in which he said he was protesting what he considered violations of constitutional rights.
The reported hunger strike has added another dimension to the debate, although the circumstances and developments surrounding his protest remain separate from the school policy itself.
Reports of internet disruptions have also circulated in Azerbaijan. However, monitoring organisations, including NetBlocks and the Open Observatory of Network Interference, have not confirmed the reported blackouts through their data.
Protests Reach Türkiye
Opposition to the school restrictions has also spread to neighbouring Türkiye. Demonstrators gathered outside Azerbaijan’s consulate in Istanbul last week, calling on authorities in Baku to reconsider the rules.
Some protesters compared the situation with Türkiye’s 1997 military intervention, often described as the “post-modern coup.” During that period, women wearing headscarves faced restrictions in universities and public employment.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev indirectly criticised the protests during a congress of his New Azerbaijan Party. Without directly naming Türkiye, he warned against outside interference in Azerbaijan’s way of life.
The Turkish government has not officially responded to Aliyev’s remarks. However, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed discrimination against Muslim women during his September 23 speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
Debate Over the Future of the Rules
The dispute has placed Azerbaijan’s school dress code and religious freedoms at the centre of public discussion. While authorities maintain that the regulations support the country’s secular education system, critics want greater protection for personal religious choices.
The coming days may show whether the government responds to the protests or makes changes to the rules. For now, the controversy continues to raise questions about the relationship between secular education policies and religious freedom.
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