Azerbaijan's uniform crisis and Turkey's hijab issues
The article discusses the hijab crisis in Azerbaijan following the government's issuance of restrictions on the attire of students and teachers in public schools, aimed at reinforcing the principle of secularism. This came in the context of a legislative amendment approved in July 2026. Although the hijab was not explicitly mentioned, the implementation of these rules led to the exclusion of veiled female students from entering schools, sparking widespread protests in the streets and media outlets. The situation drew comparisons to Turkey’s painful experience with restrictions on hijab in 1997, which imposed strict limitations on veiled women in education and employment. Female students, teachers, and activists expressed their outrage, while warnings were issued about the politicization of the issue and its potential to ignite religious conflicts. Prominent Turkish figures underscored the importance of respecting women's right to wear the hijab, citing Turkish history as evidence. Although the Turkish government voiced support for dialogue, some political parties warned against repeating the 28 February experiences and called for a solution that ensures women’s rights and freedom to wear the hijab. This comes amid popular protests in Istanbul demanding the immediate withdrawal of the restrictions.
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