The Hijab protests in Azerbaijan are a consequence of changes in the formal and social aspects of Azerbaijan with the banning of the hijab in schools and universities. The hijab ban led to protests by some religious activists and to their subsequent arrests, due to their opposition to the new laws. [1] [2]
The two main factors in the protests were Azerbaijan's hijab ban and the arrests of religious activists.
The Republic of Azerbaijan is a secular state. The hijab was effectively banned in schools by rules defining what kind of uniforms pupils should wear in this mainly Shiite Muslim country, which emerged as one of the most secular in the Islamic world after decades of Soviet rule. [3]
The government of Azerbaijan arrested several leaders of the religious opposition and this caused a new round of protest by their supporters which led to them being arrested. [4] The Parties involved included: the Popular Front, Musavat Party and Islamic Party. Leaders of these parties face long prison terms. [5] [6] [7] Movsum Samadov, leader of the banned Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, was charged with preparing an act of terror. [8]
Anti-government activists used social media to call for street protests inspired by the Arab uprisings on Friday March 11, 2011. Activists inspired by the overthrow of autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt by pro-democracy protests vowed to stage more demonstrations as they were being arrested by police outside Baku's Oil Academy. Azerbaijan security forces detained 43 people in the event. [9]
On Saturday the 2nd of April 2011, another protest took place. Riot police seized protesters near the Fountains Square in Baku, where the opposition had wanted to hold a rally but failed to receive approval from the authorities. One of the opposition leaders said after the protest that about 1,000 people had taken part and more than 200 were arrested. [10]
On 6 May 2011, some protesters in Baku chanted "God is great" and "Freedom to hijab", before being arrested by the police. [11]
There were international protests against the government's actions.
The Hijab protests in Azerbaijan are a consequence of changes in the formal and social aspects of Azerbaijan with the banning of the hijab in schools and universities. The hijab ban led to protests by some religious activists and to their subsequent arrests, due to their opposition to the new laws. [1] [2]
The two main factors in the protests were Azerbaijan's hijab ban and the arrests of religious activists.
The Republic of Azerbaijan is a secular state. The hijab was effectively banned in schools by rules defining what kind of uniforms pupils should wear in this mainly Shiite Muslim country, which emerged as one of the most secular in the Islamic world after decades of Soviet rule. [3]
The government of Azerbaijan arrested several leaders of the religious opposition and this caused a new round of protest by their supporters which led to them being arrested. [4] The Parties involved included: the Popular Front, Musavat Party and Islamic Party. Leaders of these parties face long prison terms. [5] [6] [7] Movsum Samadov, leader of the banned Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, was charged with preparing an act of terror. [8]
Anti-government activists used social media to call for street protests inspired by the Arab uprisings on Friday March 11, 2011. Activists inspired by the overthrow of autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt by pro-democracy protests vowed to stage more demonstrations as they were being arrested by police outside Baku's Oil Academy. Azerbaijan security forces detained 43 people in the event. [9]
On Saturday the 2nd of April 2011, another protest took place. Riot police seized protesters near the Fountains Square in Baku, where the opposition had wanted to hold a rally but failed to receive approval from the authorities. One of the opposition leaders said after the protest that about 1,000 people had taken part and more than 200 were arrested. [10]
On 6 May 2011, some protesters in Baku chanted "God is great" and "Freedom to hijab", before being arrested by the police. [11]
There were international protests against the government's actions.