A new ban on headscarves in schools has ignited rare protests in Azerbaijan, particularly in the capital Baku and several southern districts. The Azerbaijani education ministry began enforcing uniform rules on October 9, 2023, which prohibit female students from wearing hijabs. This decision has led to significant public outcry, with students and parents challenging the government's stance on secularism in education.
Protests Erupt
Videos circulating on social media show teenage girls confronting school staff about the ban. One girl, wearing a navy blue hijab, questioned, "You are telling me, I can't come to school?" as her peers applauded her defiance. Protests have emerged outside state schools, with demonstrators holding banners proclaiming, "The hijab does not prevent anyone from getting an education."
The Azerbaijani government has a history of suppressing dissent, with President Ilham Aliyev in power since 2003. The interior ministry reported that 37 people were detained for obstructing the enforcement of the new rules, which were approved on September 21. The regulations do not explicitly mention hijabs but ban clothing that contradicts the principle of secularism in education.
Government Response
The protests have drawn attention to the delicate balance Azerbaijan maintains between its neighbors, Turkey and Iran. While Turkey is a close ally, Iran has a significant Shia population, similar to Azerbaijan's majority. The Azerbaijani authorities have expressed concerns about religious influence from Iran, where more ethnic Azerbaijanis reside than in Azerbaijan itself.
