Sunday, October 11, 2026 -School pupils in Azerbaijan are boycotting classes and protesting after reports that girls wearing hijabs have been prevented from entering public schools under newly enforced dress-code rules.
The demonstrations, reported on October 10, 2026, have brought growing attention to the rights of Muslim students and the country's approach to secular education. Videos circulating online show students demanding that their hijab-wearing classmates be allowed to return to lessons, turning a school uniform dispute into a wider national debate.
The protests follow amendments adopted by Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers on September 21, which prohibit clothing that conflicts with standard school uniforms or the secular character of public education.
Although the rules do not explicitly mention the hijab, reports indicate that some female pupils have been turned away from schools. Students at School No. 69 in Baku and another school in the Masally district reportedly boycotted classes in solidarity with affected classmates. The dispute has also extended to teachers following the introduction of new professional dress requirements.
The growing protests are putting pressure on Azerbaijani authorities to clarify how the new regulations should be applied and whether students can continue their education while wearing religious head coverings. The central challenge is balancing the government's secular education framework with concerns about freedom of belief and equal access to schooling.
With pupils already boycotting lessons and public debate intensifying, a clear official response is increasingly important to prevent further disruption and restore confidence among students, parents and teachers. The situation remains developing, and the authorities' next steps will be closely watched.
