Azerbaijan protests over headscarf ban

Following the Azerbaijani Cabinet's decision on September 21, 2026, to amend the school dress code—perceived as a restriction on wearing the hijab in schools—protests across the country escalated. Female students and veiled girls were prevented from entering classrooms, and teachers were pressured to remove their head coverings. These developments led to demonstrations in several areas, including the capital, Baku, with students boycotting classes in solidarity with their peers. The measures sparked a debate over their legality in imposing restrictions on religious expressions, with authorities arresting 37 individuals in connection with the protests and accusing them of attempting to disrupt the educational process. Despite the Azerbaijani constitution guaranteeing religious freedom, the government claims the amendments aim to preserve secularism and unify dress standards. Opponents, however, argue that these measures infringe on girls' right to education. The controversy has provoked both domestic and international reactions, including protests in Turkey and a statement from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev regarding interference in the country's way of life.

Size: 120%Text Size

Notice: This Is an AI-Generated Summary

Display The Full Article