Muslim country bans hijab in schools

Live updates

1. 59m ago

   Azerbaijan School Hijab Ban Sparks Protests and Regional Row

   Azerbaijan has enforced new school uniform rules under amendments to the Law on General Education, resulting in pupils wearing hijabs being turned away from classes. The restrictions have triggered rare protests, security pressure on families, and an escalating diplomatic row with Turkey after Baku barred 31 Turkish citizens from entering the country. International bodies including Amnesty International have criticized the measures for denying access to education, while Baku defends the policy as a reinforcement of the state's secular identity.

   Why it matters

   The hijab restrictions in Azerbaijani public schools have brought long-standing tensions over religious freedom and secular governance to the forefront. The dispute has strained ties between Baku and Ankara, traditionally closely allied nations, while drawing commentary from regional powers like Iran. Observers note that the controversy has also spawned complex international information campaigns.

   What is confirmed

   • Azerbaijan has introduced new rules governing clothing in public schools under amendments to the Law on General Education.
   • Pupils wearing hijabs have been turned away from schools, sparking rare protests.
   • Azerbaijan has barred 31 Turkish citizens, including politicians, journalists and religious figures, from entering the country.
   • Amnesty International has called on Azerbaijan to stop denying access to education through discriminatory hijab restrictions and to release peaceful protesters.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Baku claims foreign actors are spreading misinformation regarding the school uniform policy.
   • An antisemitic campaign has targeted Azerbaijan's president over the hijab restrictions, according to reports.
   • Iran has allegedly turned to religious Azerbaijanis in Russia and used a media platform in Georgia to target Azerbaijan over the uniform controversy.
   • Jewish students in Azerbaijan are allegedly allowed to attend classes wearing religious symbols while Muslims are not.

   What to watch next

   • Official diplomatic communications or resolutions between Azerbaijan and Turkey regarding the entry ban on Turkish citizens
   • Further responses or actions from international human rights organizations regarding access to education for hijab-wearing students
   • Developments concerning detained peaceful protesters and local enforcement of the dress code
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. Al Jazeera — Azerbaijan’s school hijab ban: What’s behind it, and what’s next?
   2. BBC — School headscarf ban sparks rare protests in Azerbaijan and row with Turkey
   3. www.bbc.co.uk — School headscarf ban sparks rare protests in Azerbaijan and row with Turkey - BBC News
   4. The Telegraph — Muslim country bans hijab in schools
   5. Ynetnews — On Netanyahu's leash: Antisemitic campaign targets Azerbaijan's president over hijab restrictions
   6. Amnesty International — Azerbaijan: Stop denying access to education through discriminatory hijab restrictions and release peaceful protesters
   7. en.abna24.com — Azerbaijan Bars 31 Turkish Citizens Amid Escalating Dispute Over School Hijab Restrictions
   8. oc-media.org — Iran says it is ‘Azerbaijani people’ who ‘should resolve’ controversy over school hijab ban
   9. www.eng.kavkaz-uzel.eu — A resident of Azerbaijan faced pressure due to publications about the school dress code.
   10. TodayPress.tv — Iran has turned to “religious” Azerbaijanis in Russia to target Azerbaijan
   11. factcheckhub.com — No, viral video misrepresents Muslim family’s ransom plea as forced conversion
   12. www.trend.az — Azerbaijan defends its secular identity - analysis
   confidence 95%