# Azerbaijani schools bar girls wearing hijabs; male classmates refuse classes in solidarity

https://mins.news/en/item/98768

- Meduza, 2026-10-13 21:58 UTC
- Society
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/10/14/schools-in-azerbaijan-are-barring-girls-who-wear-hijabs-from-class-some-of-their-male-classmates-are-refusing-to-attend-in-solidarity

> Azerbaijan’s new school-uniform rules bar clothing deemed inconsistent with secular principles but do not explicitly mention hijabs. After inspections began, girls wearing headscarves were kept out of class and female teachers were told to remove theirs. Protests spread in Baku and other cities, with some boys refusing to attend in solidarity. The Interior Ministry said 37 people were detained in Baku on October 12. Users also reported disruptions to Instagram and TikTok access, which authorities have not confirmed were blocked.

## Related coverage

- [School headscarf ban sparks rare protests in Azerbaijan and row with Turkey](https://mins.news/en/item/101802) — BBC News, 2026-10-15
- [Azerbaijan’s ruling party defends school uniform rules after hijab dispute](https://mins.news/en/item/98539) — Reuters, 2026-10-13