Azerbaijan implemented new regulations last month restricting clothing that violates secular education principles, effectively banning hijabs in public schools, triggering significant controversy in a nation where over 90 percent of the population identifies as Muslim.
Teacher Gulshan Aliyeva, with 23 years of experience, was denied entry to her school this week while wearing a headscarf, and her daughter faced similar restrictions. Aliyeva contends that Azerbaijan’s Labour Code prohibits employment discrimination and stated her intention to continue reporting to work while pursuing the matter through appropriate legal channels if needed. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 37 individuals were detained for disrupting public order while violating the new rules, while the Baku City Education Department announced increased monitoring of school compliance.
Supporters of the restrictions argue they maintain uniform standards in educational settings without constituting religious discrimination. Baku resident Timur Rzayev emphasized that government policies should be followed rather than debated, and expressed concern that hijab-wearing among minors often reflects parental preference rather than individual choice. Zahid Oruj, chairman of the parliament’s human rights committee, clarified that headscarves remain permissible outside schools and stressed the measure aims to preserve uniform educational environments rather than attack religious expression.
Opposition exists within Azerbaijan as well. Opposition REAL Party head Natiq Jafarli called for compromise arrangements, particularly for primary school students, and criticized imposing dress restrictions on adult teachers. Rights advocates including Azer Rashidoglu argued the regulations conflict with constitutional guarantees of freedom of conscience and urged affected individuals to pursue legal challenges.
The controversy has strained Azerbaijan’s relationship with Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s adviser Oktay Saral called the measures “unacceptable,” prompting the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party to characterize his comments as irresponsible and potentially damaging to bilateral relations between the close allies.
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