Protests have erupted in Azerbaijan after a government-approved amendment introduced school dress-code restrictions that effectively prevent students and teachers from wearing the hijab. Approved last month, the measure does not explicitly ban the Muslim headscarf but prohibits clothing authorities consider contrary to the “principle of secularism.” Teacher Zahra Hasanova told Al Jazeera she had been informed she could no longer wear her hijab at school, describing the decision as hurtful and saying religious dress should remain a personal choice.

The state-run Azerbaijani Press Agency (APA) said the amendment aims to establish a unified dress code reflecting the country’s secular principles. Approximately 96% of Azerbaijan’s population identifies as Muslim, while the constitution defines the country as secular and guarantees religious freedom. The rules reportedly allow traditional clothing reflecting Azerbaijani history, culture and national values during celebrations, subject to approval by the Pedagogical Council under the Ministry of Science and Education.

The restrictions have triggered protests and a social media campaign across Azerbaijan. Videos circulating online show students crying and embracing teachers reportedly prevented from entering schools, while local media reported class boycotts at at least two schools. Imprisoned journalist Polad Aslanov, who was convicted of high treason in 2020 and is serving a reported 113-year sentence, launched a hunger strike against the new requirements. In a message shared on Facebook by his wife, Gulmira Aslanova, he accused authorities of trampling constitutional rights. Reports of internet blackouts remain unconfirmed by monitoring organisations.

Opposition to the restrictions has also spread to Türkiye, where demonstrators gathered outside Azerbaijan’s consulate in Istanbul to demand that authorities in Baku reconsider the decision. Critics have compared the developments with Türkiye’s 1997 “post-modern coup,” when women wearing headscarves were barred from universities and faced dismissal or pressure to resign from civil service positions. The comparisons have intensified debate over religious freedom and the place of Islamic dress in public institutions.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev indirectly criticised Türkiye over the protests, warning at a congress of his New Azerbaijan Party against attempts to “interfere with our lifestyle,” without naming the country directly. Turkish authorities did not officially respond to his remarks. However, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed discrimination against Muslim women in his September 23 speech to the United Nations General Assembly. The dispute raises questions about how Azerbaijan will enforce the restrictions and whether mounting public pressure will prompt a policy reversal.