Religious associations, ritual singers, and religious poets from Ardabil have voiced their condemnation of the restrictions on the Islamic hijab for female students in Azerbaijan. They expressed solidarity with Muslim families and called for the protection of girls' right to education.
In a statement published on October 20, the groups, collectively known as the Dar al-Irshad Ardabil Hosseini community, criticized the alleged limitations imposed by the Azerbaijani government regarding head coverings in girls' schools. They appealed to Iranian officials, religious scholars, and legal institutions for assistance in achieving the repeal of these restrictions, according to the publication Mehr.
The statement asserted that students should not be forced to choose between continuing their studies and adhering to their religious beliefs. The hijab was described as an established Islamic obligation and an expression of religious identity, and it was emphasized that religious attire should not be grounds for denying Muslim women educational opportunities or participation in social and professional life.
The signatories also criticized Azerbaijan's internal anti-religious policies, as well as its political, military, and defense cooperation with Israel, believing that these events call into question the government's approach to Islamic values.
Calling for a response to these restrictions, the groups strongly urged the Muslim population of Azerbaijan to defend their demands for religious rights and equal access to education through unity, awareness, courage, and peaceful participation.
Furthermore, the statement included a call for Iranian officials, as well as religious and legal institutions, to take a clear stance and take steps to protect the rights of Muslim schoolgirls in the neighboring country.
As a sign of support, the signatories stated that schools in Ardabil are ready to accept Muslim girls from Azerbaijan who wear the hijab and wish to continue their studies in Iran.
The statement noted: 'Education should not come at the cost of abandoning religious beliefs,' and added that true freedom requires respect for people's convictions.