Soviet Legacy and Secularism: Why Does Azerbaijan Restrict the Hijab in Schools?
BAKU — The ban on the hijab in Azerbaijan’s schools is about more than uniforms. Behind the policy lies a long history of relations between the state and religion in the former Soviet republic.
The government seeks to preserve Azerbaijan’s identity as a secular state, while some Muslims view restrictions on the hijab as state interference with their freedom to practise their faith.
Azerbaijan has a different historical background from many other Muslim-majority countries. The Caucasus nation was once part of the Soviet Union, which had a communist political system and restricted the role of religion in public life.
After gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan retained its secular character. However, the form of secularism that developed there has not always meant that the state stays out of religious affairs. Under a number of policies, the state has instead taken a major role in regulating religious activity and expression.
An article on the history of Islam in Azerbaijan explains that the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established on 28 May 1918, becoming the first modern parliamentary republic in the Islamic world. On 28 April 1920, however, the country became part of the Soviet Union.
Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence again on 30 August 1991, before achieving full independence on 18 October 1991. Its long experience under Soviet rule is an important context for understanding why secularism holds a strong position in the country’s political system.
Concerns about radicalism
The issue of the hijab in Azerbaijan is not new. In 2010, the government introduced a ban on wearing the hijab in schools. The policy prompted opposition from Muslims, who argued that it restricted women’s right to follow their religious teachings.
In a 2011 report, the government was quoted as arguing that restricting the hijab was necessary to prevent the growth of radical Islamic movements. The policy coincided with other measures that tightened oversight of religious life. A US State Department report cited at the time also criticised the hijab ban, the closure of several mosques and an increase in fines for breaches of religious regulations.
Over time, state control of religion has extended beyond clothing. An article on Azerbaijan’s efforts to strengthen secularism through religious education curricula noted that the government cancelled several Islamic television programmes between 2006 and 2008.