The authorities of Azerbaijan are trying to oppose the hijab and the national scarf.
Protests in Azerbaijan against restrictions on religious clothing have effectively ceased amid detentions and pressure from the police, with reports of the 30-day arrest of Ilkin Guseynov, the founder of an online platform for educating children who are not allowed in schools due to wearing hijabs. At the same time, the authorities artificially oppose the hijab and the national scarf.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the authorities continue to arrest participants of protests against restrictions on wearing hijabs in Azerbaijani schools. One of the teachers who lost her job due to the protests said she was formally dismissed for not meeting job requirements.
Since October 12, school leaders in Azerbaijan have not allowed teachers and schoolgirls who refused to remove the hijab to attend classes. Around several schools in Baku, students and teachers held lessons in the street as a sign of protest. On October 13, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the detention of 37 protest participants, while activists counted more than 200 detained. Protests due to the exclusion of children and female teachers from classes have become a continuation of a long-standing dispute over religious clothing in schools, according to a report by "Caucasian Knot" "Protests over school dress code in Azerbaijan".
Ilkin Guseynov received 30 days of arrest
The founder of the online platform for free education of children who are not allowed to attend classes due to wearing hijabs, Ilkin Guseynov, received 30 days of administrative arrest, reported the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" activist and researcher Dzhavid Aga.
"Ilkin was allowed to briefly call his relatives and inform them that he would be under arrest for a month. He was allegedly accused of 'arguing' with the police. Apparently, this refers to an administrative offense of 'disobedience to the police'. It is absolutely hard to believe that he committed such an offense. Ilkin is a young, educated, and well-mannered person," said Aga.
He links the activist's arrest directly to the platform he created for educating children who are banned from school due to hijabs.
In particular, Aga pointed to the lack of access to the platform "Let Leyla Go to School" and its Instagram page.
On the platform "Let Leyla Go to School" services of volunteer teachers were offered, and options were opened for students to choose their teachers by the desired subject.
According to the expert of the Analytical Service Turan Tapdyga Farhadoglu, protests related to hijab restrictions have effectively ceased.
As a result of pressure, police summons, detentions, and arrests, protests have effectively ceased.
"The protests were generally local and mainly involved believers near schools. They did not receive broad public support. In recent days, it is evident that as a result of pressure, police summons, detentions, and arrests, protests have effectively ceased," said Farhadoglu.
The current hype around kelagai creates the impression of some kind of campaign and evokes more irony against the backdrop of the hijab ban.
At the same time, he said, official propaganda promotes narratives about 'alternatives' to hijabs, spreading content aimed at popularizing the national scarf kelagai.
"There was even a march of pro-government female activists in national clothing and kelagai. This scarf has gained popularity in recent years as an element of women's clothing due to its colorful designs and skillful patterns. The current hype around kelagai creates the impression of some kind of campaign and evokes more irony against the backdrop of the hijab ban," said Farhadoglu.
An activist defending the rights of believers pointed to the artificial opposition between kelagai and hijab.
"Kelagai is also dear to our women as a national scarf. It should not be opposed to hijabs. Some propagandists are particularly eager to impose kelagai on people. This beautiful scarf is already used by many women in clothing – both as a head covering and simply as a shawl. Hijab and kelagai as head coverings are absolutely compatible. Many believers on social media suggested making hijabs from kelagai. Some even started tying hijabs on their heads from kelagai. But they were still not allowed into school. In school No. 290 in Baku, a young teacher who came with a kelagai hijab was not allowed into the school and was completely dismissed. The essence of the matter is that the authorities simply do not want to let believers into schools," said the activist, who wished to remain unnamed.