Baku: Azerbaijan has witnessed protests over restrictions on Islamic headscarves in state schools, with authorities reporting 37 arrests and social media users experiencing difficulties accessing Instagram and TikTok, media reports claim.
According to Press TV, users in Azerbaijan have reported widespread disruptions on Instagram and TikTok as demonstrations against school restrictions on Islamic headscarves intensify. Some users said videos failed to load and feeds would not refresh, while others reported accessing the platforms only through virtual private networks (VPNs).
The reported disruptions coincided with the circulation of videos showing protests outside schools, although no official confirmation established a link between the social media problems and the demonstrations.
School Uniform Rules Trigger Protests
The controversy began after Azerbaijan amended its regulations governing uniforms in state schools in September. The new rules prohibit additional clothing that conflicts with prescribed uniforms or the secular principles of education, without explicitly naming the Islamic hijab.
Earlier this month, the Baku City Education Department announced inspections to ensure that students and teachers complied with the requirements.
Local media reported that students demonstrated outside schools on Monday and boycotted classes in solidarity with girls who had allegedly been denied entry for wearing Islamic headscarves. Videos circulating online appeared to show the restrictions being applied specifically to hijabs, despite the regulations not explicitly mentioning them.
Authorities Announce 37 Arrests
Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry told the APA news agency that confrontations had taken place in Baku over the uniform requirements. According to the ministry, some individuals confronted school employees, damaged school property and attempted to disrupt classes.
The ministry said 37 people had been arrested after a criminal investigation was opened into alleged disturbances of public order.
The reported arrests have added to tensions surrounding the restrictions, which critics view as an infringement on religious expression. Social media users have condemned the measure, arguing that it disproportionately affects Muslim students who wear headscarves.
Religious Restrictions and Political Criticism
Azerbaijan is a predominantly Shia Muslim country that emerged from decades of Soviet rule as one of the more secular states in the Muslim world. Authorities have imposed restrictions on religious activities and arrested Muslim citizens in cases involving alleged extremism. Critics, however, have accused the government of using such measures to target religious communities.
Similar restrictions on headscarves triggered demonstrations between 2010 and 2012, when police dispersed protests and made arrests.
The latest unrest comes amid broader criticism of President Ilham Aliyev’s government over restrictions on public gatherings, political opposition and independent media.
The protests have renewed debate over the balance between Azerbaijan’s secular education policies and the right of Muslim students to express their religious identity. Further developments are likely to depend on whether authorities enforce the uniform rules more strictly or respond to growing public opposition.
