# Azerbaijan school hijab restriction and protest controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/azerbaijan-school-hijab-restriction-controversy > Updated: 2026-10-23T11:05:22.000Z. Sources: 82. Developments: 9. Tensions have escalated in Azerbaijan following the enforcement of hijab restrictions in state schools. The controversy stems from the Cabinet of Ministers' decision 309, adopted on September 21, 2026, which restricts clothing deemed contrary to the ‘principle of secularism’. This has led to administrations denying entry to students and educators, sparking widespread boycotts and unrest in Baku, Sumgait, and other regions. The situation has evolved into a significant diplomatic friction point. In Turkey, senior officials, including an adviser to President Erdoğan, have denounced the ban as ‘unacceptable’, prompting the ruling New Azerbaijan Party to dismiss the comments as ‘populist and irresponsible’ disinformation. Azerbaijani authorities have framed the enforcement of secularism as a matter of national security to protect the state from foreign political influence. Protests have also emerged within Turkey in response to the policy. In Diyarbakır, Islamic civil society organizations and political leaders, including Yeniden Refah Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan, held a press conference to condemn the restrictions. Fatih Taş, President of the Ideal Education Foundation, asserted that depriving students of education based on religious attire contradicts international law and the principles of justice. Protesters rejected claims that their actions constitute interference in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, characterizing their stance as a ‘humanitarian responsibility to defend human rights’. Security crackdowns have intensified. In the Nardaran settlement near Baku, masked and armed police reportedly conducted early-morning raids, detaining 88 individuals. Amnesty International continues to call for a reversal of the restrictions, stating that denying access to education based on religious dress violates fundamental rights. ## Claims - 37 people have been detained in connection with the enforcement of new school dress code rules. (disputed by 6 sources) - The Cabinet of Ministers adopted decision number 309 on September 21, 2026, updating uniform rules for state schools. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Students and parents have engaged in school boycotts and protests in cities including Baku. (corroborated by 13 sources) - School administrations are implementing restrictions on headscarves despite no explicit ban in the text of the regulation. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Teacher Zehra Hasanova reported that school management informed her she could not work while wearing a headscarf. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The ruling party Novi Azerbaycan stated that the rules are based on the constitutional principles of secularism and equal treatment of all citizens. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Protesters burned a school principal's car and attempted an arson attack on a school. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Users have reported losing access to social media platforms Instagram and TikTok within Azerbaijan. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Saadet Party leader Mahmut Arıkan sent a letter to President Ilham Aliyev expressing concern over the hijab ban in schools. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Diyarbakır protesters condemn hijab restrictions in Azerbaijan Islamic civil society groups and political leaders in Diyarbakır protested against reported hijab bans affecting female students in Azerbaijan, citing violations of religious freedom and education rights. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/diyarbakr-protesters-condemn-hijab-restrictions-in-azerbaijan ### 2026-10-22: Azerbaijan police detain 88 people in Nardaran over hijab protests Azerbaijani security forces have reportedly detained 88 people in Nardaran following protests against new school hijab restrictions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-police-detain-88-people-in-nardaran-over-hijab-protests ### 2026-10-19: Azerbaijan hijab ban sparks diplomatic tension with Turkey A diplomatic rift has emerged between Azerbaijan and Turkey following Baku’s ban on hijabs in public schools, sparking protests, mass detentions, and international calls for religious freedom. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-and-azerbaijan-tensions-rise-over-school-hijab-ban ### 2026-10-17: Azerbaijan school hijab restrictions spark protests and diplomatic tension Azerbaijan faces protests and diplomatic tension with Turkey after new school dress codes led to the de facto banning of hijabs for students and teachers. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-school-hijab-restrictions-spark-protests-and-economic-debate ### 2026-10-16: Iğdır Association calls for end to Azerbaijan school headscarf ban The Iğdır Ehl-i Beyt Alimleri Derneği has called on Azerbaijan to lift its school headscarf ban, citing violations of religious freedom and education rights. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/idr-association-calls-for-end-to-azerbaijan-school-headscarf-ban ### 2026-10-14: Azerbaijan school dress code protests spark unrest Protests have erupted in Azerbaijan after new school dress code rules effectively banned the hijab, leading to student boycotts, dozens of arrests, and diplomatic friction with Turkey. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-school-dress-code-rules-spark-protests-and-arrests ### 2026-10-12: Azerbaijan school uniform rules spark protests and diplomatic tension Azerbaijan faces protests and arrests following new school uniform rules that have effectively restricted the wearing of hijabs, sparking diplomatic tension with Turkey and debates over secularism. 38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-faces-protests-over-school-headscarf-restrictions ### 2026-10-09: Azerbaijan faces controversy over school hijab restrictions Azerbaijan is facing backlash from human rights groups and journalists over renewed hijab restrictions in state schools, which critics say violate religious freedom and the right to education. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-faces-controversy-over-school-hijab-restrictions ### 2026-10-07: Azerbaijan school hijab ban sparks tension in Jalilabad In Azerbaijan's Jalilabad region, students wearing hijabs were reportedly barred from school and forced to return home following strict new dress code enforcement. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-school-hijab-ban-sparks-tension-in-jalilabad --- Cite as: Azerbaijan school hijab restriction and protest controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/azerbaijan-school-hijab-restriction-controversy