Teachers in Azerbaijan are expressing concerns over new regulations regarding the hijab in public schools, which they fear could jeopardize their jobs and their students' education. Gulshan Aliyeva, an English teacher with 23 years of experience, reported being denied entry to her school for wearing a headscarf, and her daughter was also barred from entering high school in Baku. Aliyeva stated, "I want to fulfil my responsibilities, educate students and continue my career without my religious beliefs becoming an obstacle to my employment." She cited Article 16 of Azerbaijan’s Labour Code, which prohibits employment discrimination.
Last month, the government implemented new rules that do not specifically mention the hijab but prohibit clothing that contradicts the principle of secularism in education. Protests have arisen in response to these regulations in a predominantly Muslim country. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 37 individuals were detained for disrupting public order while violating the new rules.
Aliyeva emphasized the need to uphold constitutional rights to work and education and indicated her intention to pursue the matter with relevant authorities. The Baku City Education Department announced plans to monitor schools for compliance with the new regulations.
Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, stated in a local media interview that the hijab is "an important religious obligation" but noted that citizens can express their views while respecting state decisions. He criticized protesters for causing disruptions in schools and suggested that the issue is being politicized.
Timur Rzayev, a Baku resident, argued that the controversy has been unnecessarily politicized and that the government's uniform policy should be followed. He expressed opposition to girls under 18 wearing the hijab, suggesting that such decisions often reflect parental preferences rather than the desires of the children.
Natiq Jafarli, head of the opposition REAL Party, acknowledged the need for further discussion regarding students wearing the hijab and proposed compromise arrangements for younger students. He criticized the imposition of dress restrictions on teachers.
The controversy has implications for Azerbaijan's international relations, notably with Turkey. Oktay Saral, an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called Azerbaijan's actions "unacceptable," questioning the fairness of excluding students based on their faith. In response, the governing Yeni Azerbaijan Party criticized Saral's comments as potentially damaging to bilateral ties.
Zahid Oruj, chairman of the human rights committee of Azerbaijan's National Assembly, defended the measures as not being discriminatory, emphasizing that there is no ban on wearing headscarves outside of school and that the goal is to maintain uniformity in educational settings.
The National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan has also criticized the politicization of the hijab debate. Azerbaijan's constitution enshrines secularism, with Article 7 defining the state as secular and Article 18 establishing the separation of religion and state. However, Article 48 guarantees freedom of conscience, raising questions about how to balance secular education with religious freedom in public schools.
Azer Rashidoglu, chairman of the Tolerance Public Association for Social Research, argued that the new rules do not align with the Constitution and urged those affected to seek legal recourse through peaceful means.