Azerbaijan’s school dress restrictions keep headscarf-wearing pupils out
Azerbaijan’s school dress rules have kept headscarf-wearing girls out of class and drawn criticism from officials in allied Turkey. The amendment does not explicitly name the hijab. Families invoke education and religious freedom, while authorities defend secular schooling. A free online teaching initiative began this week, but its founder could not be reached and its Instagram page became unavailable.
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Headscarf-wearing pupils are turned away
Girls wearing headscarves have been turned away from state-school classes in Azerbaijan under new dress restrictions. The cabinet approved the uniform amendment on September 21. It bars additional clothing considered inconsistent with secular education without explicitly naming the hijab. BBC documented protests around schools alongside criticism from officials in Turkey, Azerbaijan’s close ally. Similar requirements began applying to teachers in the first week of October.[1], [2]
Free online lessons face interrupted access
The Interior Ministry said 37 people were detained on Monday for failing to comply with the rules and attempting to disrupt public order. On Tuesday, the Let Leyli Go To School initiative began offering free lessons online. Its founder Huseynov left with unidentified people on Wednesday and could not subsequently be reached. Friends suspect detention, but authorities have not confirmed that. The initiative’s Instagram account was unavailable on Thursday; responsibility for that loss of access has not been established.[1]
School restrictions become a dispute between allies
Turkish presidential adviser Oktay Saral criticised the exclusion of headscarf-wearing students. Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party called his remarks irresponsible interference and warned of damage to bilateral relations. Demonstrators also gathered outside Azerbaijan’s representation in Istanbul. Authorities defend secular schooling, while families invoke both religious freedom and the right to education. The enforcement dispute has reached across the border without resolving the affected pupils’ access to classes.[1]
