Azerbaijan School Hijab Ban Sparks Protests and Diplomatic Tension

The Government of Azerbaijan has sparked widespread unrest after amending school uniform rules on September 21 to prohibit clothing that conflicts with the secular principle of general education. While the regulations do not explicitly name the hijab, school administrators have used the rules to bar hijab-wearing students and teachers from classrooms.

Protests have escalated in Baku and the Absheron region, where students boycotted classes and five cars were burned. The Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported 37 detentions for disrupting public order, though activists claim over 200 people were arrested. Imprisoned journalist Polad Aslanov launched a hunger strike in protest, and demonstrations occurred outside the Azerbaijani consulate in Istanbul, Turkiye.

The governing Yeni Azerbaijan Party and the Media and Broadcasting Council of Azerbaijan defended the measures as necessary to uphold secular education and professional standards. President Ilham Aliyev warned against interference in the country's lifestyle, while the Media and Broadcasting Council dismissed the backlash as a coordinated troll attack orchestrated from abroad.

The dispute has caused diplomatic tension with Turkey. Oktay Saral, an adviser to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called the restrictions unacceptable and urged a reversal. The Yeni Azerbaijan Party condemned these comments as populist and irresponsible, warning Turkey against interfering in Azerbaijan's domestic affairs.