Azerbaijan: Calls for Baku Protest Against Restrictions on Hijab in Schools

Azerbaijan: Calls for Baku Protest Against Restrictions on Hijab in Schools
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Activists in Azerbaijan have circulated a call for a protest in the capital, Baku, against restrictions on wearing the hijab in schools and in support of Muslim students seeking to exercise their religious freedoms.

According to the circulating announcement, the gathering is scheduled for Monday, October 19, at 2 p.m. outside the Dərnəgül metro station in Baku. Organizers have adopted the slogan “The hijab is our honor and dignity” to express their opposition to the restrictions and their support for Muslim girls’ right to wear religious clothing.

Critics of the government of President Ilham Aliyev argue that preventing hijab-wearing students from entering schools infringes on religious freedom and the right to education. They are calling for the restrictions to be lifted and for students not to be denied access to education because of their Islamic dress.

The proposed demonstration reflects ongoing debate in Azerbaijan over religious freedom and school dress policies. However, the circulating announcement does not confirm whether the gathering has received official authorization or how many people are expected to attend. The date remains a proposed protest schedule, not confirmation that the event will take place.