Azerbaijan Defends School Hijab Ban Amid Protests and Turkey Tensions
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Azerbaijan is defending its school uniform policy that prevents veiled female students and teachers from attending classes, leading to protests and arrests. The ban has caused diplomatic tension with Turkey, which has criticized the move as unacceptable. Azerbaijan's ruling party rejected the criticism, asserting the country's secular nature and right to set its own policies, while also addressing concerns about its ties with Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Azerbaijan arrested 37 people amid protests against its school hijab ban.
- The uniform policy effectively bars veiled female students and teachers from schools.
- Turkey criticized the ban, calling it unacceptable and urging its reversal.
- Azerbaijan's ruling party rejected Turkish interference, citing secularism and national interests.
- The controversy continues amidst Azerbaijan's close ties with Israel.
The Azerbaijani government has defended its uniform dress code policy in public schools, which has effectively barred veiled female students and teachers from educational institutions. This policy has sparked domestic protests and diplomatic friction with Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 37 individuals in the capital, Baku, accusing them of disturbing public order and damaging property during attempts to disrupt schooling. Amid the protests, activists reported difficulties accessing Instagram and TikTok, following the spread of videos documenting veiled female students and teachers being denied entry to schools. The footage showed crying students hugging teachers who were barred from entering.
The decision drew criticism from Turkey, with an advisor to the Turkish president and parliamentarians calling the denial of education to veiled women "unacceptable" and urging Azerbaijani authorities to reverse the policy. In response, Azerbaijan's ruling "New Azerbaijan" party issued a statement criticizing the Turkish remarks as "populist and irresponsible," warning Ankara against interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs or using educational policies for political gain. The party emphasized that the description of relations between the two countries as "one nation, two states" does not grant either side the right to impose ideological guardianship over the other, reaffirming Azerbaijan's commitment to the secular nature of its state and institutions.
The party also rejected criticisms from Turkey and Iran regarding Azerbaijan's close ties with Israel, stating that the country's domestic and foreign policies are based on international law and national interests, as the controversy over the school hijab restrictions continues.
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