Turkey and Azerbaijan conflict over hijab issue
The Arab21 newspaper reported that the hijab crisis in Azerbaijan sparked widespread protests and criticism following the issuance of new school dress code laws in September 2026. These regulations led to the banning of veiled female students from entering schools, despite the hijab not being explicitly mentioned in the decisions. These measures echoed historic restrictions on the hijab in Turkey during the 1990s, when veiled women were barred from education and public employment. Turkish critics described the policies as interference in internal affairs that could impact relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, Turkish officials, including a former minister, Baqo, called for a review of the law, warning of the damage these policies could cause to society and human rights. Outrage culminated in demonstrations and protests outside the Azerbaijani consulate in Istanbul, with protesters asserting that these measures violate women's right to education and promote religious discrimination. In response, the Azerbaijani government’s ruling party accused Turkey of attempting to exploit the issue politically and through the media. They affirmed that Azerbaijan is a secular state committed to principles of equality, cautioning that escalation could harm relations between the two nations.
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