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Azerbaijan school uniform rules spark protests and diplomatic tension
Azerbaijan is facing significant domestic unrest following new school uniform regulations introduced by the Cabinet of Ministers in September 2026. While the regulations do not explicitly name the hijab, they prohibit clothing deemed incompatible with the secular character of state education. This has led to reports of students and teachers being denied entry to schools for wearing Islamic headscarves.
The Azerbaijani government, through the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party, has defended the rules as necessary to uphold constitutional principles of secularism and equality. Officials have characterized the backlash as political manipulation and an ideological attack. In response to protests in Baku and other regions, the Interior Ministry reported the arrest of 37 individuals for disrupting public order.
The dispute has caused diplomatic tension with Turkey. Turkish presidential adviser Oktay Saral described the denial of education to headscarf-wearing students as ‘unacceptable’. Meanwhile, religious leaders like Sheikhul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade have stated that the hijab is not banned in the country, though they expressed regret over the lack of prior consultation regarding the new uniform rules.
Entities
Allahshukur Pashazade · Azerbaijan · Azerbaijan Ministry of Internal Affairs · Baku · Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan · Ilham Aliyev · Mahmut Arıkan · Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan · Novi Azerbaycan · Ogtay Gasimov · Oktay Saral · Roza Ibadova Kocamaz
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 12 SOURCES] The regulation restricts elements that disrupt school uniform integrity or contradict the secular nature of education. zartonkmedia.com · www.marasbugun.com.tr · ogunhaber.com · www.agcnews.eu · jam-news.net · +2 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Politician Ogtay Gasimov stated that certain groups are openly rebelling against state policy.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Artist Roza Ibadova Kocamaz called on President Ilham Aliyev to resolve the situation regarding headscarf restrictions.
- [● 13 SOURCES] Students and parents have engaged in school boycotts and protests in cities including Baku. jam-news.net · zartonkmedia.com · ogunhaber.com · almanartv.com.lb · ashams.com · +3 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Reports suggest the restrictions aim to counter the influence of Iranian-linked groups among youth and educators. www.gazetepencere.com
- [● 11 SOURCES] School administrations are implementing restrictions on headscarves despite no explicit ban in the text of the regulation. zartonkmedia.com · www.marasbugun.com.tr · ogunhaber.com · thecurrent.pk · themuslimtimes.info · +1 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Teacher Zehra Hasanova reported that school management informed her she could not work while wearing a headscarf. zartonkmedia.com · www.gzt.com · almanartv.com.lb · tvpertiwi.com · thecurrent.pk · +1 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] The Cabinet of Ministers adopted decision number 309 on September 21, 2026, updating uniform rules for state schools. zartonkmedia.com · ogunhaber.com · www.agcnews.eu · jam-news.net · banjaluka.net · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Saadet Party leader Mahmut Arıkan sent a letter to President Ilham Aliyev expressing concern over the hijab ban in schools. www.sondakika.com · www.karar.com
- [● 15 SOURCES] The Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 37 people in Baku in connection with incidents over school uniform rules. jam-news.net · zartonkmedia.com · www.agcnews.eu · www.ekriti.gr · www.ertnews.gr · +8 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Parliamentarian Sevinj Fataliyeva explained that the uniform rules aim to ensure equality among students. www.agcnews.eu
- [● 2 SOURCES] AzTV President Rövşen Memmedov stated that the protests are an ideological attack from outside. www.gazetepencere.com · ashams.com