So, is it really that difficult to resolve the hijab issue in this country? The Ministry of Education says it's not their responsibility, the school principal says that their internal regulations require it. But it shouldn't be like this.
If this were an issue related to just one school, you might be right, but problems with the hijab are emerging all over the country, yet the government and the ministry bury their heads in the sand, saying it's not their business. Then why does the government exist?
If the problem has already taken on a nationwide character and is observed throughout the country, the government, the prime minister, and relevant institutions must react and intervene.
Let them come forward and say whether the hijab is allowed or not in secondary education. Or is it not their business, and each school decides for itself? Is this a geographical issue, where it's allowed in the north but not in the south, or in the mountains but not in the lowlands, and schools decide accordingly? This head covering is an attribute related to Islam, which is formally considered the religion of 96% of the population and is officially recognized by the Azerbaijani state. Azerbaijan is a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, meaning we are a Muslim country. A school principal cannot make a decision on an issue related to Islam.
Just announce this once and for all, so citizens are not confused.
In 2012, President Ilham Aliyev explicitly stated in a TV interview that there is no head covering ban in our country. But now it seems that a school principal is a higher authority, making independent rulings.
It is clear that this is being done by certain groups entrenched within the government. The state must clarify this situation, and if necessary, the Supreme Court must make a decision on it. Otherwise, a school principal should not be allowed to play with people's beliefs by making such statements.
The State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations and the Caucasus Muslims Office must clarify this issue and state their position. Protecting religious attributes is not solely the responsibility of citizens; first and foremost, official religious bodies must express their stance. Perhaps we don't know, perhaps Islam already forbids this? The body that provides religious education, engages in religious propaganda, and issues religious fatwas should take the trouble to make a statement.
Political Commentator
Kanan Rovshanoglu