School headscarf ban sparks rare protests in Azerbaijan and row with Turkey
Summary
Azerbaijan has started enforcing new school rules banning Islamic headscarves for female students in state schools. This has sparked rare protests in the capital, Baku, and other regions, and led to arrests and internet disruptions.Key Facts
- The Azerbaijani education ministry began enforcing uniform rules that turn away female students wearing hijabs.
- Protests have occurred in Baku and several southern districts like Masally and Jalilabad.
- Azerbaijan is a secular country with a government that limits religious and political dissent.
- Around 37 people were detained for disrupting public order during protests.
- The rules ban clothing that goes against secular principles in state schools but do not specifically mention the hijab.
- A mother protesting was detained and warned to remove her child's hijab or face prison.
- An activist who started an online school for students banned from class was reportedly detained.
- Internet access to Instagram and TikTok has become difficult without VPNs since the protests began.
- Azerbaijan’s government is concerned about religious influence from neighboring Iran, which has many ethnic Azerbaijanis.
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