‘They stood by her’: Azerbaijani schoolchildren rally behind teacher dismissed over hijab

* Pupils protest new secular dress code in a country where 96% of the population is Muslim, amid reports of headscarf-wearing students being denied access to schools

Schoolchildren in Baku, Azerbaijan, have rallied around their teacher, Zahra Hasanova, in an emotional show of solidarity after she was reportedly dismissed over her hijab, amid growing controversy surrounding restrictions on Islamic headscarves in the country’s schools.

The protests followed the introduction of new school dress regulations that have reportedly led to hijab-wearing students and teachers being denied entry to educational institutions, raising concerns about religious freedom, equal access to education and the rights of Muslim women.

A video circulating online shows pupils hugging Hasanova, expressing support for their teacher as reports emerge of hijab-wearing students being prevented from entering some schools. The scenes have drawn attention to concerns about religious freedom, access to education and the implementation of Azerbaijan’s secular school dress code.

The development has intensified debate over the treatment of Muslims who choose to wear the hijab in public institutions in Azerbaijan, where Muslims constitute approximately 96 per cent of the population, according to Al Jazeera’s Centre for Studies.

Pupils defy restrictions to stand by hijab-wearing classmates

The pupils’ protests have provided a striking demonstration of solidarity, with students reportedly refusing to attend lessons to demand that their hijab-wearing classmates be allowed to return to school.

At Baku Secondary School No. 69, students were reported to have protested in support of their female classmates, challenging the enforcement of the new dress regulations against those wearing headscarves.

The protests followed reports of hijab-wearing girls being turned away from school premises, with some seen in videos leaving school in tears. The reported dismissal of a teacher over her headscarf has further fuelled public concern.

Teacher Zahra Hasanova speaks out

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. She said the practice was being implemented despite the absence of an official decision explicitly banning it.

“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.

Hasanova explained that she could seek other work to earn a living but felt compelled to speak up for girls whose education could be affected by the restrictions. She recalled studying late into the night by the light of an oil lamp in the 1990s and said her mother had worked as a cleaner to support her education.

“I can do other work and earn a living. However, we must defend the rights of hijab-wearing girls and students. Their right to education must not be taken away, and their hopes for the future must not be cut short,” she said.

Calling for freedom to wear the hijab, Hasanova also opposed compelling women either to cover their hair or to uncover it.

“I want freedom for the hijab. I am against forcing anyone to wear the hijab and against forcing anyone to uncover her head. This arbitrary restriction is incompatible with justice,” she said.

New dress code sparks religious freedom concerns

The controversy followed amendments to Azerbaijan’s school uniform regulations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on September 21, 2026, after legislative changes signed by President Ilham Aliyev in July introduced provisions concerning clothing requirements for students and teachers in public schools.

The authorities have justified the changes on the grounds of preserving the secular character of public education.

However, the regulations do not explicitly name the hijab as prohibited clothing, even as reports indicate that some schools have interpreted the requirements in ways that prevent hijab-wearing girls and teachers from entering their premises.

Azerbaijan’s Constitution guarantees equality and freedom of conscience

The dispute has also drawn attention to provisions of Azerbaijan’s Constitution that protect equality, education and freedom of conscience.

Article 25 guarantees equality before the law and prohibits restrictions on rights based on religion and beliefs. Article 42 recognises every citizen’s right to education and guarantees free and compulsory secondary education. Article 48 protects freedom of conscience, including the right to practise and express religious beliefs.

At the same time, Article 18 establishes that religion is separate from the state and that the education system is secular.

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