The ban on hijabs in schools in Azerbaijan has sparked controversy in society

In Azerbaijan, after the new school clothing law came into effect, the issue of the hijab in educational institutions has sparked public outcry. Videos are circulating on social media showing that some female students wearing hijabs are being denied entry to schools.

According to media reports, such incidents have been recorded in several educational institutions, leading to protests and boycotts of classes by some students.

The Azerbaijani authorities state that the new requirements for school clothing have been adopted to ensure uniform standards and protect the secular model of the education system. Although the official documents do not explicitly mention a ban on hijabs, some parents and civil society activists believe that the implementation of the new rules has restricted access for girls in hijabs to schools.

On the other hand, opponents of this policy argue that such restrictions could negatively impact citizens’ rights, freedom of belief, and access to education.

The issue of restricting religious clothing in educational institutions is not limited to Azerbaijan. Earlier, Tajikistan also adopted a law that prohibits religious clothing, including hijabs, in state educational institutions, including schools and universities, as well as in government agencies. The Tajik authorities justify this policy by citing the need to protect the secular nature of the state, combat foreign culture, and ensure compliance with legislation.

The question of the balance between freedom of religion and the principle of state secularism remains a subject of debate in several countries, including Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.