Hijab controversy in Azerbaijan: schools attacked

Reports have circulated that female students wearing the hijab are being denied entry to classes in some Azerbaijani schools. Specifically, it is reported that students arriving in hijabs in the Jalilabad district are being turned away at the school gates and sent home. This situation has sparked discontent among the country's religious population.

The controversy intensified after the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan amended the dress code regulations for public schools on September 21. The new rules restrict clothing items that are incompatible with the principles of secular education; however, the document does not explicitly ban the hijab.

On October 12, the dispute regarding school dress codes escalated further in Baku. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, a group of individuals clashed with school staff, damaged state educational institutions, and attempted to disrupt traffic and the normal operation of schools.

A criminal case has been opened regarding the incident, and 37 people have been arrested. Authorities have characterized their actions as a gross violation of public order.

To date, the Azerbaijani government has not officially confirmed a ban on the hijab. Nevertheless, reports of students and teachers wearing the hijab being denied entry to schools, as well as debates surrounding dress codes, continue.