Pupils in Baku and other areas have walked out of lessons after girls and teachers who wear the hijab were reportedly turned away under new secular rules.
Azerbaijan hijab restrictions have pushed schoolchildren into protests and class boycotts after reports that pupils and teachers who wear the hijab were barred from state schools under a new secular dress code. Al Jazeera reported on October 10 that videos show students gathering outside school buildings. Officials have not announced a ban, and the rules do not mention the hijab by name.
What Triggered the School Boycott
Caucasian Knot, citing JAMnews, reported that students at School No. 69 in Balakhany village near Baku refused to attend classes on October 9. They did so after classmates in headscarves were reportedly not allowed inside. Videos showed pupils outside the building holding a poster that read “Hijab is not an obstacle to education!”
OC Media, citing Meydan TV, reported a second boycott at B Shiriyev Secondary School in Mollaoba village, Masally district. Caucasian Knot, relaying Meydan TV, said complaints have also come from Jalilabad and other regions. Parents and students say administrators are asking girls to remove their headscarves.
What the Azerbaijan School Dress Code Says
OC Media reported that Azerbaijan amended its Law on General Education on 7 July to declare state schooling secular and require students and teachers to follow clothing rules. On 21 September the Cabinet of Ministers revised the uniform rules. Students may not wear items that undermine the uniform or contradict the secular principle of education.
Turkish Minute reported that the decision is numbered 309, was signed by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, and does not contain the word hijab. Caucasian Knot quoted rights defender Arzu Abdulla as saying the phrase about secular education is understood to cover headscarves. Caucasian Knot also reported that the cabinet approved teacher dress rules on October 6, requiring a business style of clothing in line with secular education.
How Officials Have Responded
According to Caucasian Knot, the Baku City Education Department announced on October 9 that it would begin checking uniform compliance in public schools. It said school administrations are responsible for enforcement and parents for making sure children wear the uniform. The statement did not address reports of girls being turned away.
Parliament member Jeyhun Mamedov said the reform aims to remove religious, ethnic and economic differences in schools. Turkish Minute, citing the BBC’s Azerbaijani service, said the cabinet and the Education Ministry did not answer the broadcaster’s questions. The ministry has not commented on whether the Azerbaijan school dress code permits teachers to wear the hijab.
Teacher Dismissed and Hunger Strike Begins
OC Media, citing Meydan TV, reported that a teacher who wears the hijab was dismissed from Richard Sorge Secondary School No. 90 in Baku. Footage shows crying students hugging her.
Jailed journalist Polad Aslanov began a hunger strike on October 8 at Penitentiary Facility No. 15, his wife said, according to OC Media. Aslanov argues the rules violate Article 48 of the constitution, which guarantees freedom of conscience. A court sentenced him to 16 years for treason in 2020, later reduced to 13. He denies the charge.
OC Media also reported in September that theologian Abgul Suleymanov was given 30 days of administrative detention for disobeying a police officer. His family links the case to his social media criticism of possible restrictions.
Will Azerbaijan Hijab Restrictions Be Lifted?
No official announcement has been reported. Baku has not publicly stated any plan to ban the hijab in schools. It also noted that in March a mother said a restriction at one school was lifted the same day, and that the Education Ministry reversed a similar move in 2010 after protests.
Background to the Hijab Ban in Schools
OC Media reported that claims of girls being turned away began spreading on social media in March. The 2010 ministry decision led to protests in Baku, Ganja and other cities, and many protesters were detained, the outlet said. Turkish Minute reported that Turkey’s government has stayed silent on the latest restrictions.