New school dress rules introduced across Azerbaijan’s primary and secondary schools this week, which effectively ban the Muslim hijab, have led to 37 arrests and triggered class boycotts, and a nationwide social media campaign while causing a row with the country's longtime ally Turkey.
The newly implemented rules, approved last month, prohibit clothing that the government says violates the “principle of secularism”.
Although the regulations do not explicitly state that they target the Muslim headscarf, videos circulating online have shown girls in hijabs crying after being denied entry to schools under the new uniform requirements.
The amendment to the Descriptions of Uniforms for Students of State General Education Institutions aimed to establish a unified dress code reflecting the country’s “secular principle”, according to the state-run Azerbaijani Press Agency (APA).
Clothing reflecting the “history, culture, and national and moral values of the Azerbaijani people” may be worn during celebrations, subject to approval by the Pedagogical Council, which operates under the Ministry of Science and Education, APA said.
However, this decision to effectively ban the hijab has sparked an outcry.
Local Azerbaijani media outlets reported that students at at least two schools boycotted classes in protest against the restrictions, while pupils also reportedly demonstrated outside schools on Monday.
Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry told APA that people in Baku had confronted school staff over the uniform requirements, damaged school property and attempted to disrupt lessons.
It said that “37 people were arrested as a criminal investigation had been opened into disturbing public order”.
Meanwhile, social media users based in Azerbaijan have reported difficulties accessing platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, claiming that the sites only work when accessed through virtual private networks (VPNs).
Protests against the uniform policy are ongoing, with critics accusing the authorities of restricting access to social media to suppress dissent.
Azerbaijani authorities have not officially commented on the reported social media outages.
Rupture with Turkey
The controversy has also attracted attention beyond Azerbaijan.
Oktay Saral, an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, described Azerbaijan’s move as “unacceptable”.
“Leaving a student who covers her head for reasons of faith at the school gate – how can this fit into any conscience, any sense of justice?” he posted on X.
Turkey has been a key ally of Azerbaijan, supporting it in its 2020 war with Armenia, which ultimately led to Azerbaijan regaining control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party (YAP) hit back on Tuesday, saying Saral’s “irresponsible” comments risked damaging Azerbaijan’s closest relationship on the international stage.
Azerbaijan is a predominantly Shia Muslim country but, after decades of Soviet rule, emerged as one of the most secular states in the Muslim world.
The authorities have imposed restrictions on religious worship and arrested individuals accused of "extremism" in efforts to prevent radicalisation.
Critics have accused the Azerbaijani government of persecuting devout Muslims.
Restrictions on headscarves previously sparked demonstrations between 2010 and 2012, with police dispersing protests and making arrests.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s close relationship with Israel, particularly amid its genocidal war on Gaza, has prompted criticism of the government from Turkish social media users.
Baku’s decision not to leave the UN General Assembly hall during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address last month drew a wave of condemnation.