The protests in Azerbaijan over the new school dress policies have presented serious challenges to Ilham Aliyev's government. These policies, which do not allow girls and teachers wearing hijabs to enter schools, have created deeper discontent in society.
Reactions to the New School Dress Regulations
In September and October, the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan approved changes that implement "secular dress regulations" for students and teachers. Although the regulations do not directly mention hijab, reports indicate that girls wearing hijabs have not been allowed to enter schools. In Baku and Sumgayit, teachers have also reported that administrators have asked them to remove their hijabs or resign from their positions.
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Expansion of Protests and New Challenges
The recent protests in Azerbaijan have expanded unusually. Students in some schools in Baku have boycotted classes in support of their hijab-wearing classmates. On October 12, students continued their protests by holding street classes. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that 37 people have been arrested, while activists believe the number of detainees exceeds 200.
Meanwhile, incidents such as the burning of school administrators' cars have occurred, raising further concerns. These developments indicate serious tensions in society and suggest that this discontent is not limited to a single neighborhood.
The majority of the population in Azerbaijan is Muslim, but there is also a strong secular tradition in the country. The government believes that secular education is a fundamental principle, while protesters view hijab as their right. One hijab-wearing teacher who was not allowed to enter school stated: "We have been kept in a room and told to wait."
These protests, especially in areas where hijab is more common, have significantly expanded and demonstrate that religious identity issues can mobilize broader groups. Videos showing students' solidarity with hijab-wearing teachers indicate that this dispute is deepening within families and society.
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