Azerbaijan defends school uniform policy amid hijab row with Turkey

Azerbaijan's ruling party has doubled down on its decision to implement school uniform requirements, dismissing criticism that the policy effectively curtails religious expression in educational settings. The uniform regulations have become a flashpoint in the predominantly Muslim nation, with opponents arguing the rules unfairly restrict the wearing of hijabs and other Islamic head coverings.

The government in Baku has characterised the uniform policy as a secular education initiative aimed at promoting equality and standardisation in schools. Officials have framed the regulations as consistent with the nation's constitutional principles regarding the separation of religious and state institutions.

Tensions have intensified following statements from Turkey, Azerbaijan's strategic ally, expressing concerns about the restrictions on Islamic dress. Baku has firmly rebuffed what it characterises as external interference, emphasising that education policy falls squarely within its domestic purview and should not be subject to outside commentary or pressure.

The controversy reflects broader debates across the region about balancing secular governance with religious freedoms. For Azerbaijan, which maintains a secular governance model despite its Muslim majority population, the uniform policy represents an assertion of state authority over religious practice in public institutions.