Azerbaijan-Türkiye debate over school uniforms and hijab restrictions

A public debate in Azerbaijan over school uniform requirements has raised wider questions about relations between Baku and Ankara, including the limits of political solidarity, respect for national sovereignty and each country's right to pursue its own foreign policy. The discussion began after several Turkish political figures criticized restrictions affecting students who wear the hijab.

On October 12, Turkish presidential adviser Oktay Saral criticized the restrictions in a post on X, and several representatives of Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) also voiced criticism. On October 13, Azerbaijan's ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) called the Turkish statements irresponsible. The Azerbaijani-Turkish interparliamentary working group in the Milli Majlis also expressed concern and defended Azerbaijan's right to set its domestic policy independently.

The regulations were set by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 309 on September 21 and extended to public school teachers on October 6. They do not explicitly name the hijab, but the headscarf is not part of the prescribed school uniform. Azerbaijani officials have also rejected attempts to link the rules to the country's relations with Israel, saying close strategic ties do not require identical positions on every issue.