The debate over the hijab ban in schools in Azerbaijan continued online.

The ban on wearing hijabs in schools in Azerbaijan corresponds to the secular nature of education and the uniform requirements for school uniforms, stated some social media users. Other commentators pointed out that the restrictions violate freedom of religion and deprive schoolgirls of the opportunity to attend classes. Another group of commentators suggested a compromise option – to open separate schools for children from religious families.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan previously reported the detention of 37 people after protests against the restrictions on wearing hijabs in schools, while activists claimed that more than 200 were detained. In Baku, a car belonging to a school director was set on fire, and four more cars burned in the Absheron region. The day before, schoolgirls in hijabs were not allowed to attend classes in several schools in Baku, after which students held protests and conducted classes on the street; these events were preceded by a tightening of requirements for school clothing.

Social media users expressed polar opinions about hijabs

Two posts dedicated to the protests against the restrictions on wearing hijabs in schools in Azerbaijan were published on the "Caucasian Knot" Facebook page*, which has about 164,000 followers. As of 12:40 MSK on October 13, these publications collectively garnered 378 reactions and 334 comments.

Some users supported the uniform requirements of the Azerbaijani authorities for school uniforms and the secular nature of public schools. "A public school is not a madrasa, but an educational institution with its own charter, mandatory for all. If the rules do not allow wearing a hijab, then they must be followed. And why has religion increasingly become a reason for disputes, especially in schools? Faith is a personal matter, but common rules should be the same for everyone," wrote Nana Abshilava.

"There should be a uniform in school," noted Lola Tajimuratova.

"Azerbaijani schools are not branches of religious structures. The laws of Azerbaijan apply here. Wearing a hijab is not prohibited in Azerbaijan. This is solely about school rules, as education in the country is secular and has certain requirements for students' appearance," wrote Mehri Huseynli.

Other participants in the discussion believed that the secular nature of the state should not limit freedom of clothing choice and access to education. "You have been divided, dear Azerbaijanis... Draw conclusions about who and why. In a secular state, no one should care what someone is wearing. And how can wearing a hijab affect academic performance?" wrote Timur Bekirov.

"If someone wants to cover their head, let them cover it; if someone doesn't want to, let them not cover it! This is an externally imposed topic to stir up the situation in the country. And if we look at it broadly, even from a secular point of view, the ban on wearing it is a violation of citizens' constitutional rights. As for the headscarf of a teacher, what matters is not what she has on her head, but what is in the teacher's head..." noted Omar Vizirov.

Another group of commentators called for seeking a compromise so that the dispute over hijabs does not lead to children being barred from classes. "What about a separate school for them? Why artificially create a problem? Or is there a political aspect here?" asked Leyla Budagova.

"I think schools must find a golden mean, a compromise option, propose it to the Ministry of Education, and bring the students back to school. Otherwise, only madrasas will benefit. This confrontation will lead to chaos," wrote Fariz Yuris.

"I have yet to see a country where religious fanaticism has led society to real progress and prosperity. And let's not confuse religion with religious fanaticism! I am not against faith. I am against religious dogmas being imposed on secular society and secular schools. I believe that there should be religious schools for boys and girls in Baku – with a full-fledged education requirement. Let parents have a choice. But a secular school must remain secular..." noted Sara Chapland.

Disputes over wearing hijabs have been ongoing in Azerbaijan for several decades

Disputes over restrictions on wearing hijabs in Azerbaijan have been ongoing for almost two decades. As early as September 2007, schoolgirls in Sumgayit were not allowed to attend classes for a week because they came in hijabs. The school director cited the requirement to wear a school uniform. After activists intervened, the girls were allowed to attend classes. In December of the same year, more than 50 representatives of the intelligentsia, media, and culture opposed the provisions of the bill "On Education," which prohibited hijabs, chadors, and other religious attributes in educational institutions.

The situation escalated at the end of 2010. On December 10, hundreds of students and parents gathered in front of the Ministry of Education in Baku, demanding to ensure both the right to education and the observance of religious rights. Protests then took place in Masally and Nardaran, and on December 24, about a hundred believers protested in Ganja, where the action was suppressed by the police. Thus, within two weeks, protests against the hijab ban took place in four locations in the country. In January 2011, residents of Nardaran collected about 2,500 signatures on an appeal to President Ilham Aliyev requesting the repeal of the ban on wearing hijabs in public schools.

The confrontation continued in 2011. On May 6, several hundred believers held a rally in front of the Ministry of Education in Baku. After it was dispersed, arrests and criminal prosecution of participants followed, four of whom were convicted in December. The topic again led to clashes on October 5, 2012, when about 200 believers gathered in front of the Ministry of Education in Baku, demanding that schoolgirls be allowed to wear hijabs. The action turned into clashes with the police.

Baku analysts considered the hijab ban a violation of rights

The ban on wearing hijabs is primarily a matter of religious freedom, noted earlier the head of the Center for the Protection of Freedom of Conscience and Religion in Azerbaijan Ilgar Ibrahimoglu. "The hijab ban should be lifted based on ensuring human rights, freedom of religion, and social unity," he told a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot." In his assessment, the restrictions also caused "serious damage to the atmosphere of tolerance in Azerbaijan."

Ibrahimoglu also rejected the argument that the hijab contradicts Azerbaijani traditions. "In essence, the hijab, a regular scarf or kelagai (wide scarf), are the same means of head covering according to the Quran, and therefore making any differentiations is incorrect. This is just a pretext to justify the ban," he stated.

In his opinion, the hijab is compatible with school uniforms: "Girls wear school uniforms; the only difference is that they cover their heads with a scarf."

Restrictions on wearing hijabs are related to the authorities' fears about the rise of religious sentiments. Administrative bans can have the opposite effect and only intensify protest sentiments, noted earlier analyst Zafar Guliyev.

Co-founder of the "Republican Alternative" movement, legal expert Erkin Gadirli called the restriction on attending schools in hijabs "administrative arbitrariness." "This ban violates the freedom of religion and freedom of conscience enshrined in the Constitution," he said.

Gadirli warned that barring schoolgirls from classes could leave hundreds of girls outside the educational process. "This decision stems from some unhealthy fear and suspicion of the authorities. In democratic countries, there are no such bans," the analyst told a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot."