Impasse of Imposed Secularism in Republic of Azerbaijan

IQNA – Criticizing the barring of hijab-wearing students and teachers from schools in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the head of the Islamic Culture and Relation Organization said removing signs of religiosity from educational environments does not eradicate the deeply rooted beliefs of the people.

Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipour wrote this in a note provided to the media, which is as follows:

The images and reports emerging these days from cities in the Republic of Azerbaijan—depicting peaceful gatherings of families and teachers protesting the exclusion of hijab-wearing students and teachers from educational settings—are deeply regrettable.

The sight of young girls, school bags on their shoulders and tear-filled eyes, standing before the closed doors of classrooms—alongside dedicated teachers prevented from imparting knowledge and ideas simply because they adhere to the hijab—is, above all, a source of pain for any fair-minded observer.

These events serve as a serious warning for a country where the overwhelming majority of the population is Muslim. Justifying this decision through slogans such as ‘secularizing the public education sphere’ requires a fundamental reassessment and a realistic engagement with the true nature of the issue.

The reality is that, within the sociology of religion and a profound understanding of Islamic teachings, the hijab is far more than a mere external adornment or a simple covering. Hijab is the direct extension of an internal belief, a religious obligation, and a practical commitment to a religion that has woven the very fabric of a society’s historical and cultural identity.

Consequently, barring a child or a teacher who wears the hijab from an educational environment is perceived by the public conscience not as the upholding of law and order, but as a clear act of hostility toward sacred values—a disregard for the most fundamental human and civil rights.

A crucial point that demands the special attention of decision-makers in Baku is the failure to properly distinguish between the “impartial functioning of the state” and the “infringement upon the individual and religious freedoms of citizens”. This state and structural function must not be transformed into an exclusionary tool used to marginalize a large segment of society.

Depriving students and teachers who wear the hijab of the right to education—the primary and most fundamental legitimate right of any people—stands in stark contradiction to the spirit of justice, human rights, and inclusive education.

In this regard, a review of the region’s contemporary history and the experiences of neighboring countries could serve as an instructive guide for the authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan. For decades in the Republic of Turkey, radical factions and secularist parties attempted to impose a state-mandated identity upon society through stringent prohibitions—restricting the access of women wearing the hijab to universities and government offices, and suppressing public expressions of religiosity.

What was the outcome of that prolonged experience? Neither did the religious and traditional beliefs of the Turkish people vanish, nor did the rift between the state and the nation narrow. Instead, the imposition of these anti-religious and unjustifiable restrictions led to a deep-seated accumulation of discontent, a sense of structural discrimination among the religious populace, and, ultimately, a fundamental transformation of the country’s political landscape. Religious socialization has demonstrated that imposing restrictions on deeply rooted rituals and religious precepts does not lead to their erosion; rather, it strengthens the bond between a society and its authentic traditions.

In its official relations and public addresses, the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan has consistently emphasized the necessity of bolstering national solidarity, preserving the link between history, tradition, and the future, and safeguarding the authentic identity of its people.

The realization of these stated goals is only possible through mutual respect, tolerance toward differences, and an understanding of the traditions and religious beliefs held by the majority of society. From the perspective of the Islamic world, the students who currently stand outside closed classroom doors—filled with sorrow and bewilderment—are a source of pride; their adherence to religious law warrants support rather than exclusion. Forcing families into a bitter and unjust dilemma—choosing between adherence to their heartfelt beliefs and continuing their education—sows the seeds of resentment in the hearts of both current and future generations. It is the earnest hope that the statesmen of Azerbaijan will exercise wisdom and prudence—rejecting biased, divisive counsel—to reconsider this tension-inducing decision.

Reopening school doors to all Muslim children in the land, free from imposed conditions, would send a clear message to the world regarding the unbreakable bond between the nation, the religion, and spirituality.