Turkey: Protest in Diyarbakır Condemns Reports of Hijab-Wearing Students Barred from Schools in Azerbaijan

Turkey: Protest in Diyarbakır Condemns Reports of Hijab-Wearing Students Barred from Schools in Azerbaijan
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A protest was held outside the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) in Diyarbakır, southeastern Turkey, by Islamic civil society organizations condemning reports that hijab-wearing female students had been prevented from entering schools in Azerbaijan. Demonstrators called on Azerbaijani authorities to respect freedom of belief and ensure girls’ right to education without discrimination.

More details in the following report:

The protest was attended by political and civil society figures, including Fatih Erbakan, leader of the New Welfare Party, alongside representatives of non-governmental organizations and local residents. Participants expressed solidarity with the students reportedly affected by restrictions on wearing the hijab in educational institutions.

In a statement delivered on behalf of the participating organizations, Fatih Taş, head of the Ideal Education Foundation, voiced concern over reports that students had been denied entry to schools under school uniform regulations and secularism policies. The statement described freedom of belief and the right to education as fundamental rights protected by international conventions, and called for solutions that would allow students to continue their studies without being forced to remove their hijabs.

Taş said the images circulating from Azerbaijan had reminded many in Turkey of earlier periods when restrictions on wearing the hijab were imposed in educational institutions. He noted that the issue had attracted particular attention in Turkish society because of the country’s own experience with such measures.

Protesters argued that criticizing policies they consider harmful to religious freedom and access to education does not constitute interference in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs, but rather reflects concern for fundamental rights. They also urged the Turkish government to use its close relations with Baku to pursue diplomatic dialogue and help address the issue.

Participants carried banners expressing solidarity with the Azerbaijani people and opposition to restrictions on the hijab. They stressed that their protest targeted official policies and measures, not the Azerbaijani population, and emphasized the importance of maintaining ties of friendship and solidarity between the two peoples.