Hijabs In Azerbaijan: A Cultural Wear Exploration

The hijab is a hot topic in Azerbaijan, a secular country with a majority Shi'a Muslim population. While the country's constitution ensures freedom of religion, there is an unofficial ban on wearing the hijab in government jobs, and girls are also informally forbidden from wearing the hijab in schools. In recent years, the number of women wearing hijabs in Azerbaijan has increased, and this has sparked debate and controversy. While some see the hijab as a way to express their religious beliefs and protect themselves from unwanted attention, others view it as a symbol of oppression and a threat to secular values. This has led to protests and arrests, with religious activists demanding that the government eliminate the ban. The discussion around the hijab in Azerbaijan is complex and multifaceted, involving cultural, religious, and political factors.

The hijab as a statement

In Azerbaijan, a secular country with a majority Shi'a Muslim population, the hijab is a way to make a statement. While the country's constitution ensures freedom of religion, there is an unofficial ban on wearing the hijab in government jobs, and girls are also informally forbidden from wearing the hijab in schools.

The rise in Islam in Azerbaijan has been attributed to an attempt to fill the ideological void left by the fall of the Soviet Union. The hijab has become an increasingly common sight in the capital, Baku, and other regions, with some women choosing to wear it as a way to express their religious beliefs and values. For these women, the hijab represents modesty, humility, and piety, and it allows them to protect themselves and gain more mobility in public spaces dominated by men. It is also a way to express their protest against injustices and forms of secularism and nationalism promoted by local elites, which they see as a violation of their rights as believers.

However, the hijab has also faced opposition in Azerbaijan. Some see it as a sign of oppression and a threat to the secular nature of the state. In the 1960s, the Soviet authorities in Baku erected a statue of a woman throwing off her veil, which still stands as a symbol of the country's secular values. There is an unofficial ban on wearing the hijab in government jobs, and private employers have a range of attitudes towards the veil, with some discriminating against veiled women. In schools, the hijab was effectively banned by rules defining the school uniform, with supporters of the ban arguing that the hijab violated the separation of religion and state and was a foreign form of clothing.

The ban on the hijab in schools and the arrest of religious activists who opposed it led to protests in 2011, with activists taking inspiration from the Arab uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. These protests were met with suppression from the government, which resulted in further arrests. While there have been international protests and criticism of the Azerbaijani government's actions, the ban on the hijab in schools remains in place.

The rise of Islam in Azerbaijan

Historical Context

Islam arrived in Azerbaijan with the Arabs in the seventh century, gradually supplanting Christianity and pagan cults. However, it is important to note that Azerbaijan has a unique history of secularism within the Muslim world. This secular tradition is indigenous to the country and was shaped by the dominance of Shiism, which accounts for 55-65% of the Muslim population.

Soviet Influence

During the Soviet era, atheist policies and communist ideals influenced the religious landscape. While Islam was not completely subsumed, it went underground, and the Muslim identity became more cultural and ethnic rather than purely religious. The number of active mosques decreased significantly, and religious affiliation became nominal for many.

Post-Soviet Period

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan regained its independence and reaffirmed its secular nature through constitutional amendments. However, there was a revival of interest in Islam among the majority Shia Muslim population, filling an ideological void left by the Soviet Union's collapse. This revival was driven by internal dynamics and influenced by external factors, such as the influx of foreign religious organisations and preachers from countries like Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

The Role of the Intelligentsia

The intelligentsia, or secular Azeri scholars and thinkers, played a significant role in shaping the religious landscape. They criticised clerics, promoted secularism, and minimised the political influence of religion. This contributed to the long-standing Azeri tradition of viewing religious propaganda with disdain. However, their lack of religious knowledge also created a gap that foreign Islamic movements and preachers were able to fill.

The Impact of Foreign Influences

Foreign influences, particularly from Iran, Turkey, and Gulf States, have had a significant impact on the Islamic revival in Azerbaijan. Iranian clerics and religious organisations spread their teachings and established madrasas. Turkish religious organisations, such as the Naqshbandi Sufi order, also made inroads into Azeri society. Additionally, Salafi preachers from the Gulf States gained a foothold, particularly in the traditionally Sunni north and urban centres.

Government Response

The Azerbaijani government has had a complex relationship with the Islamic revival. On the one hand, they have promoted secularism and taken steps to reduce the influence of foreign Muslim religious organisations. On the other hand, they have also collaborated with certain religious figures and allowed the construction of new mosques. The government's response has often been shaped by security concerns and a desire to maintain control.

Societal Attitudes

Societal attitudes towards the rise of Islam in Azerbaijan are varied. While some embrace the headscarf or hijab as a way to make a religious statement, others view it with suspicion or as a sign of oppression. The headscarf is seen as a symbol of modesty, humility, and piety, and its adoption has been increasingly common among women from different social classes and regions. However, there is an unofficial ban on wearing the hijab in government jobs, and private employers have a range of attitudes towards the veil.

The hijab and employment

The hijab is a growing trend in Azerbaijan, with more women choosing to wear it as a way to express their religious beliefs and make a statement. However, this has led to some challenges in terms of employment. While Azerbaijan's constitution ensures freedom of religion, there is an informal ban on wearing the hijab in government jobs, and private employers also discriminate against women who choose to wear it. This has led to protests by religious activists, who argue that the ban violates their religious freedom and right to assembly and expression.

The issue of the hijab and employment in Azerbaijan is complex. On the one hand, the country is proud of its secular tradition and wants to maintain a clear separation between religion and state. On the other hand, the increasing number of women choosing to wear the hijab is a reflection of the growing religious observance in the country since the collapse of the Soviet Union. This has created a tension between the secular and religious values held by different segments of society.

For women who choose to wear the hijab, the employment challenges are very real. Many have reported being asked to remove their headscarves during job interviews, particularly for roles in the hospitality industry or other customer-facing roles. Those who refuse often find themselves unable to secure employment, as employers worry that having a woman with a hijab representing their company will lead to negative associations with extremism.

Some women have chosen to remove their hijab in order to improve their job prospects, while others have decided to work for family businesses or within the religious community, where they are more likely to be accepted. However, this is not a solution for everyone, and it can be seen as a compromise of their religious beliefs.

While there have been some protests against the informal ban and discrimination, the issue has not gained widespread attention. Some women feel that their voices are not being heard due to their minority status, and they worry that speaking out could lead to further backlash. Nonetheless, there are organisations like the Association for the Protection of Women's Rights that are working to protect the rights of women who choose to wear the hijab, and there is some media coverage of the issue beginning to emerge.

Protests against the hijab ban

The protesters, including religious activists and parents with their children, shouted slogans such as "hijab is our honour!" and "freedom for hijab!". The protest caused a disruption in the city centre, with the protesters blocking roads outside the Education Ministry for about an hour. The Azerbaijani authorities responded by arresting 15-16 protesters, with 7 of them sentenced to up to 10 days in prison. Despite the arrests, the protests continued, spreading to other towns in the country.

The controversy surrounding the hijab ban in schools reflects the tension between Azerbaijan's secularist practices and the re-emergence of Shi'ite Muslim beliefs in the country. While Azerbaijan's constitution provides for religious freedom, the government has shown no inclination to revise the policy on hijab bans in schools. Officials argue that the ban is necessary to uphold the law and ensure that all students adhere to the standard uniform policy. They also raise concerns about potential interference from neighbouring Iran, accusing them of exploiting the hijab issue to stir up anti-government sentiment.

On the other hand, protesters and civil society activists argue that the ban on hijabs in schools violates the constitutional right to freedom of religion. They contend that wearing a hijab does not interfere with the learning process and that parents should have the right to form the worldview of their children. Some legal experts support this view, claiming that there is no legal basis to ban the wearing of hijabs as it does not violate anyone else's rights. The controversy has also sparked debates about the role of Islam in Azeri culture and the government's attitude towards religious expression.

The hijab and education

In Azerbaijan, Islam is on the rise, and with it, the wearing of the hijab. While the country is constitutionally secular, it also guarantees freedom of religion. The hijab has become a way for women to make a statement, and headscarves are an increasingly common sight in the capital, Baku, and in the regions.

The matter was taken to the Karnataka High Court, which initially ruled that the hijab does not constitute an essential religious practice in Islam and that the pleas against the ban were "devoid of merit". However, one of the judges, Justice Dhulia, maintained that wearing the hijab was a matter of choice and that the High Court should not have debated the question of essential religious practice. The case was then referred to a larger bench of the High Court, which began hearing petitions seeking to allow students to wear hijabs in educational institutions if they so desired. The judge, Justice Krishna Dixit, stated that the court would go "by reason, by law, not by passion or emotions" and would be guided by what the Constitution says.

The controversy over the hijab ban in Karnataka has had a significant impact on the education of Muslim girls in the state. It has been reported that almost 17,000 Muslim girls in Karnataka dropped out of taking their exams because of the ban. Many students felt uncomfortable and defeated attending school without their hijabs, and some even stopped attending school altogether. The ban has also led to instances of threats and violence on campus, with a video of a young Muslim girl being heckled by a right-wing mob going viral.

The hijab ban in Karnataka, India, has highlighted the complex relationship between the hijab and education. On the one hand, proponents of the ban argue that it is about compulsory uniformity in secular schools. On the other hand, those against the ban argue that it is a violation of their fundamental right to practice their religion and a restriction on their freedom of education. The issue has also brought to light the increasing hostility towards minorities in the country and the impact of such policies on their access to education.

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