The Hijab Debate: The Real Issue Is a Child’s Right to Education, Not Just Clothing
Xumar Ismayilova, executive director of the "Young Innovators, Youth Enlightenment" Public Union, has commented on the recent discussions surrounding the hijab. In an interview with F4media.az, she said the issue should not be viewed solely as a religious or clothing matter.
Abdulrahman Sadikhli3 min read
Xumar Ismayilova, executive director of the "Young Innovators, Youth Enlightenment" Public Union, has commented on the recent discussions surrounding the hijab. In an interview with F4media.az, she said the issue should not be viewed solely as a religious or clothing matter.
According to Ismayilova, the main issue here is a child's right to choice and to education: "It is not right to approach the discussions that have arisen around the hijab solely as a religious or clothing matter. There is a more important issue here: a child's right to choice and to education."
She recalled that Part I of Article 42 of Azerbaijan's Constitution states explicitly that every citizen has the right to education. The Constitution was adopted by referendum on 12 November 1995 and entered into force on 27 November 1995.
The head of the Public Union said that Article 5.2 of the "On General Education" Law also provides for the state to create opportunities for citizens to receive general education regardless of their religion and prohibits discrimination.
Ismayilova also noted that in 2011, when answering a question about the hijab, President Ilham Aliyev stated that there was no ban or restriction on the hijab in Azerbaijan and that everyone has the right to dress as they wish.
Noting that the issue has come back onto the agenda amid the new rules, Ismayilova recalled that the amendments signed on 7 July 2026 enshrined in legislation that students and teachers in state general education institutions must comply with established clothing requirements. According to her, the word "hijab" is not separately banned in the law.
Stating her position, the executive director of the Public Union stressed: "In my opinion, if there is a rule, that rule must be applied equally to everyone. But under no circumstances should a child be left out of education because of the hijab."
She added that if a parent does not want to send their child to a state school because of the hijab, the main issue here too is the protection of the child's right to education: "The state must provide legal and accessible alternative education opportunities to ensure that a child is not left out of education."
According to Ismayilova, two fundamental rights must not come into conflict with each other: "A child must not be forced into a religious choice, nor must their right to education be taken away. A child's right both to choose and to education must be protected. This issue must be approached not with emotions, but precisely through the child's interests and rights."
