* Özgür-Der stages protest outside Azerbaijan’s consulate as pupils, rights advocates and imprisoned journalist defend Muslim girls’ access to education
A Turkish rights organisation, an Azerbaijani politician and human rights advocates have joined growing opposition to reported restrictions on Hijab in Azerbaijan’s schools, calling on the authorities to protect Muslim girls’ access to education and teachers’ right to work without being compelled to abandon their religious convictions.
The reactions followed reports that hijab-wearing students had been turned away from school and a teacher, Zahra Hasanova, prevented from teaching while wearing her headscarf, sparking protests by pupils and renewed debate over religious freedom in the Muslim-majority country.
The controversy has attracted attention across Türkiye and Azerbaijan, with campaigners arguing that school uniform regulations should not discriminate against Muslim women and girls, while others have defended the secular character of Azerbaijan’s public education system.
Turkish group stages solidarity protest
The Association for Freedom of Thought and Education Rights, known as Özgür-Der, organised a demonstration outside Azerbaijan’s Consulate General in Istanbul on October 3, demanding an end to the reported restrictions.
Protesters carried placards bearing messages such as “Freedom for the Hijab” and “The Hijab Is the Identity of a Muslim Woman”, expressing solidarity with Muslim girls and women affected by the controversy.
Hülya Şekerci, former founding president of Özgür-Der, criticised the reported restrictions, drawing comparisons with Türkiye’s February 28 period, when headscarf restrictions affected educational institutions and public life.
The demonstration added an organised civil society voice to calls for Azerbaijan’s authorities to ensure that religious dress does not become a barrier to education or employment.
Azerbaijani politician warns against excluding pupils
Tural Abbasli, chairman of Azerbaijan’s AĞ Party, also raised concerns about the reported restrictions, warning that preventing hijab-wearing children from attending school could deepen the isolation of children from religious families.
He argued that ensuring every child receives an education should take priority over disputes about religious clothing.
His intervention added a domestic political voice to criticism of the reported measures, with opponents questioning whether uniform requirements should be enforced in ways that prevent Muslim girls from entering classrooms.
Pupils rally behind teacher Zahra Hasanova
The controversy has been accompanied by emotional scenes involving schoolchildren in Baku, who were filmed hugging Hasanova in a show of solidarity after she was reportedly prevented from teaching while wearing the hijab.
Students at Baku Secondary School No. 69 also reportedly refused to attend lessons in solidarity with hijab-wearing classmates, protesting their alleged exclusion from school.
A placard displayed during the protests carried the message: “The hijab does not hinder academic achievement.”
The scenes have intensified public discussion about whether students should have to choose between wearing the Islamic headscarf and continuing their education.
Teacher speaks out against reported restrictions
In a video published by Turkish news outlet Haberler on October 9, Hasanova recounted how school authorities allegedly told her she could no longer teach while wearing the hijab.
“I was called to the school and told that I could no longer teach or work as a teacher while wearing the hijab. We know there is no official decision, but this practice is being implemented,” she said. READ HERE
Her remarks have become a prominent part of the debate, with supporters arguing that freedom of conscience should include the choice to wear religious clothing without losing access to education or employment.
Imprisoned journalist begins hunger strike
The reported restrictions have also prompted a protest by Polad Aslanov, an Azerbaijani journalist serving a prison sentence.
Aslanov began a hunger strike on October 8 in protest against the reported exclusion of hijab-wearing students and restrictions affecting teachers, according to independent Azerbaijani media outlet Meydan TV.
In a statement publicised by his wife, Gulmira Aslanova, he said he was acting in defence of his child and other students whose right to education he believes is being restricted.
“I declare that I have begun a hunger strike as a protest behind prison walls and iron bars to defend the rights of my child and all hijab-wearing students whose right to education is restricted, as well as all our hijab-wearing teachers, mothers and sisters who are being forced to choose between education and wearing hijab,” Aslanov said.
He added: “Despite being in prison, I am raising my voice against the trampling of our constitutional rights by using the only means of struggle available to me — a hunger strike.”
Aslanov also said he had sent an open appeal to Allahshukur Pashazadeh, chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, but had not received a response at the time of his statement.
The journalist is serving a prison sentence following a treason conviction, which he has denied, arguing that he was punished for his journalism.
His hunger strike has added to calls for the authorities to clarify the dress-code rules and investigate complaints from students, families and teachers.
Human rights advocates call for investigation
Azerbaijani human rights defender Ahmad Shahidov has called for the reported incidents to be investigated, warning that denying girls access to education solely because they wear hijab would raise serious concerns about religious freedom and the right to education.
He has also argued that professional dress requirements for teachers should be implemented in ways that respect freedom of religion or belief.
Turkish lawmaker Mustafa Yeneroğlu expressed concern over footage showing girls reportedly being prevented from attending school because of their headscarves. His reaction added a parliamentary voice to calls for religious expression and access to education to be protected.
Secular education argument enters the debate
The controversy has also drawn support for maintaining the secular character of Azerbaijan’s public education system.
Azerbaijani political analyst Ulviya Zulfikar has defended the principle of secular education, reflecting the position that schools should operate under common rules consistent with the country’s secular state structure.
Azerbaijan’s authorities have framed the relevant clothing requirements around the secular nature of public education.
However, the reported restrictions have prompted critics to question whether the rules are being interpreted in a way that disproportionately affects Muslim girls and women.
Azerbaijan is a Muslim-majority country, with Muslims accounting for approximately 96 per cent of its population, according to Al Jazeera’s Centre for Studies. The country is nevertheless constitutionally secular.
Article 25 of Azerbaijan’s Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination, including on religious grounds. Article 42 recognises the right to education, while Article 48 protects freedom of conscience, including the right to practise and express religious beliefs.
Article 18, meanwhile, establishes the secular character of the state and separates religion from state affairs.
Sponsored
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Discover more from Muslim News Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.