Azerbaijan's Hijab Ban Sparks Protests, Teacher Denied Entry, Strains Ties with Turkiye

Gulshan Aliyeva, an English teacher with 23 years of experience, has been barred from entering her high school in Baku this week. The ongoing debate over the hijab in Azerbaijan’s public schools has personally impacted Aliyeva, jeopardizing her career and her daughter's education. She recounted to Al Jazeera that upon arriving at the school in Baku wearing her headscarf, both she and her daughter were denied entry. "I want to fulfil my responsibilities, educate students and continue my career without my religious beliefs becoming an obstacle to my employment," Aliyeva stated. She highlighted Azerbaijan’s Labour Code, Article 16, which she argues prohibits employment discrimination. Last month, new regulations were introduced that, while not explicitly naming the hijab, prohibit students from wearing attire that contradicts the principle of secularism in education. This has led to protests in a nation where over 90 percent of the population is Muslim. Aliyeva is among several educators and students who have faced denial of entry. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported on Monday that 37 individuals were detained for disturbing public order while violating the new rules. "Our constitutional rights to work and receive an education without obstruction must be upheld," Aliyeva asserted, indicating her intention to continue reporting for work and pursuing legal action if necessary. The Baku City Education Department has stated that schools will be monitored for compliance. Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), commented to local media on Tuesday that the hijab is "an important religious obligation." While acknowledging that citizens "cannot oppose the decisions of the state," he noted they can voice their "views as citizens." However, he criticized protesters for disrupting school activities and suggested the issue was being exploited for political gain, advising critics to direct their concerns to relevant ministers. Not all citizens view the restrictions as an infringement on individual rights. Timur Rzayev, a Baku resident, believes the controversy has been unduly politicized and that the government's uniform policy should be followed without debate. "There is a government decision on the implementation of uniform dress codes," Rzayev said, adding that he opposes girls under 18 wearing the hijab, believing it often reflects parental rather than personal choice. This sentiment echoes a broader concern among some Azerbaijanis about the integration of religious practices into public education. "We are a secular state that respects the rights of religious people," he remarked. Historically, during the Soviet era, religious practices were restricted, but post-independence, greater religious freedom was permitted. Natiq Jafarli, head of the opposition REAL Party, suggested that while the issue of students wearing the hijab requires further discussion, compromise arrangements, especially for younger pupils, should be explored. "The issue concerning female students needs to be discussed. Public schools should establish certain compromise arrangements for primary school pupils," Jafarli stated. "Teachers are adults, and imposing restrictions on how they dress is the wrong approach," he added. The controversy has also impacted Azerbaijan's relationship with Turkiye. Oktay Saral, an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, deemed Azerbaijan's action "unacceptable," questioning how denying a student entry for wearing a headscarf aligns with conscience or justice. The governing Yeni Azerbaijan Party (YAP) responded by calling Saral's comments "irresponsible" and potentially damaging to bilateral ties. Zahid Oruj, chairman of the human rights committee of Azerbaijan's parliament, asserted that the measure is not discriminatory or an attack on free expression, emphasizing that the primary goal is to maintain uniform rules within the educational environment, with no ban on headscarves outside school. He further suggested that disagreement over school dress codes should not be misconstrued as hostility towards religion, noting that many Azerbaijanis who do not wear the hijab still adhere to Islamic beliefs. The National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan has also criticized the politicization of the debate. Azerbaijan's constitution enshrines secularism, with Article 7 defining it as a secular state and Article 18 mandating the separation of religion and state and the secular nature of the education system. However, Article 48 guarantees freedom of conscience, creating a constitutional framework where secular education and religious freedom coexist, prompting questions about state regulation of clothing in public schools. Azer Rashidoglu, chairman of the Azerbaijan-based Tolerance Public Association for Social Research, believes the new rules contravene the Constitution and encourages affected individuals to challenge the measures through legal channels. "Those whose rights have been violated should collectively seek legal redress through the courts and pursue their cause through peaceful and lawful means," Rashidoglu advised.