Azerbaijan: new protest action against ban on hijabs in schools

Today, the settlement of Nardaran, located 30 km off to the north-east of Baku, hosted already the third within the last nine days Azerbaijani protest action against the ban on wearing headscarves (hijabs) in schools.

On December 9, Misir Mardanov, Minister of Education, said that all schoolchildren shall wear the standard uniform, in which the Muslim headscarf is not provided. Believers regard restrictive measures as a human rights violation.

Today, about 200 persons came to a rally to the central square of Nardaran - Imam Hussein Square. They were holding black and green flags and chanted "Kyafir Misir!" (Vicious Misir) and "We better die, but not refuse from hijab!"

Nardaran is inhabited by Shiite Muslims; the place is known for its religious traditions and specific lifestyle, which survived even during Soviet times.

"We've nowhere to retreat. Hijab is our women's honour and our common honour. There's no greater insult for a man that encroachment on his honour. The ruling regime is deliberately infringing the believers. There is nothing sacred for this government; they even demolished mosques," said Haji Abulfaz, one of the elders of the settlement.

It was announced at the rally to launch a campaign of collecting signatures against the ban on wearing hijabs in schools. About 300 locals have already signed it.