Azerbaijan school pupils protest over reported hijab restrictions

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Published: 2026-10-10T20:40:32.724Z • Permanent link

Azad Mammadov, a 17-year-old high school student in Baku, Azerbaijan, has become the face of a growing protest movement over reported hijab restrictions in schools. The protests, which started last week, have already drawn the attention of local and international media outlets, including Al Jazeera, which reported on the story. Mammadov's mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that her son was suspended from school for wearing a hijab during a school event.

The school administration allegedly claimed that the hijab was against the school's uniform policy, which prohibits students from wearing headscarves. However, the mother disputed this claim, stating that her son had worn a hijab on several previous occasions without any issues. Mammadov's suspension sparked outrage among his peers, who began organizing protests outside the school. The protests have since grown in size, with hundreds of students and parents gathering to demand the school administration's reinstatement of Mammadov and the lifting of the hijab ban.

The Azerbaijani government has so far remained silent on the matter, but the incident has sparked a wider debate about freedom of expression and the role of the state in regulating students' attire. The protests have also drawn attention to the country's strict laws on blasphemy and defamation, which have been used to silence critics of the government. Mammadov's case has raised questions about the limits of state control over students' rights and the need for greater protection of individual freedoms in Azerbaijan.

The hijab ban controversy in Azerbaijan has significant implications for the country's education sector and its relations with the international community. The protests have already led to calls for greater transparency and accountability from the government, with some critics arguing that the ban is a form of "creeping Sharia" that undermines the country's secular values. The incident has also drawn attention to the need for greater protections for minority groups, including Muslims and other religious minorities, who may face discrimination and marginalization in Azerbaijan.

The protests have also raised concerns about the impact of the ban on students' mental health and well-being. Many students have reported feeling anxious and stressed about wearing the hijab in school, and some have even considered dropping out of school altogether. The incident has highlighted the need for greater support and resources for students who may be affected by the ban, as well as the importance of creating a safe and inclusive learning environment.

The hijab ban controversy in Azerbaijan is part of a broader trend of increasing intolerance and xenophobia in the country. Azerbaijan has a long history of suppressing minority rights and dissent, and the government has been accused of using laws on blasphemy and defamation to silence critics of the regime. The country's strict laws on hate speech and terrorism have also been criticized for their lack of clarity and their potential to be used to stifle free speech.