Restrictions on hijabs have provoked a debate between members of the ruling parties of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Turkish politicians should not interfere in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan and use the principle "One nation, two states" to impose their position, representatives of "Yeni Azerbaijan" and the country's parliament stated in response to criticism from an advisor to the President of Turkey and deputies of the ruling party regarding restrictions on wearing hijabs in Azerbaijani schools.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", in Azerbaijan, after tightening the requirements for school uniforms, female students wearing hijabs were no longer allowed to attend classes, which sparked protests from parents, students, and believers. On October 12, students and teachers held classes on the street near several schools in Baku in protest against the restrictions. On October 13, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan reported the detention of 37 participants in the protests, while activists claimed that more than 200 were detained. The protests were also accompanied by arson of cars, and two residents of the country were administratively arrested for criticizing the restrictions.

Advisor to the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Oktay Saral criticized the ban on female students wearing hijabs attending schools in Azerbaijan on October 12 and demanded the lifting of the restrictions. In his opinion, the refusal to allow schoolgirls to attend classes due to religious clothing violates their right to education. "It is unacceptable to hinder the right to education for schoolgirls in hijabs in Azerbaijan!" – Saral wrote on social media X on October 12, his words were quoted by the Turkish newspaper Sözcü on October 13.

Deputy of the Turkish parliament from the ruling Justice and Development Party Müfit Aydın also demanded an end to the restrictions on wearing hijabs in Azerbaijani schools. He published a photo of a girl sitting at the entrance to a school and asked the Azerbaijani authorities whether they felt compassion for the child who was denied access to classes. "Azerbaijan should act brotherly and immediately put an end to this practice!" – Aydın stated, his words were also quoted by the newspaper Sözcü on October 13.

The ruling party of Azerbaijan "Yeni Azerbaijan" criticized the advisor to the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Oktay Saral and deputies of the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for their statements about Azerbaijan, including in the context of the dispute over restrictions on hijabs in schools. The party called the statements of Turkish politicians populist and irresponsible, pointing out the need to respect the sovereignty and internal policy of Azerbaijan.

The statements of the Turkish president's advisor and AKP deputies indicate a misunderstanding of the constitutional structure of Azerbaijan and the legal foundations of freedom of religion, the press service of the "Yeni Azerbaijan" party stated on its website on October 13. The statement emphasized that the relations between the two peoples are based on historical friendship and brotherhood, but this does not give one country the right to interfere in the internal affairs of another.

The party noted that Azerbaijan is a secular state, freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution, and the requirements for clothing in educational institutions are based on the principles of equality, secularism, and the rule of law. According to the party, the educational policy aims to ensure equal opportunities for all citizens.

"Yeni Azerbaijan" also accused some Turkish media and internet resources of spreading biased information about Azerbaijan. The statement noted that the party had previously refrained from publicly reacting to such publications, considering the partnership with the Turkish ruling party and the historical ties between the two peoples.

Particular attention was given by the Azerbaijani party to the principle of "One nation, two states." In its assessment, this formula does not negate the independence of each country and does not provide grounds to demand that Baku adopt foreign political or ideological approaches.

The party expressed hope that Turkish politicians would refrain from statements that could harm the relations between the two countries. At the same time, Baku did not announce any measures to revise cooperation with Ankara.

A separate statement was made by the Azerbaijani-Turkish interparliamentary working group of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan. It expressed concern over the statements of Erdoğan's advisor and AKP deputies, calling their accusations against Azerbaijan unfounded.

The working group emphasized that Azerbaijan independently determines its internal and external policy in accordance with national interests and the Constitution. The participants of the group opposed the use of the principle "One nation, two states" for interference in the internal affairs of the country, according to a statement published on October 13 on the official website of the Milli Majlis.

Parliamentarians also rejected accusations that the requirements for clothing in educational institutions are directed against any religious community. In their assessment, these rules apply equally to all citizens, and the state policy in the field of education is based on secularism and equality.

The statement criticized not only the remarks on issues of religion and education but also publications by Turkish media about Azerbaijan, as well as the actions of participants in protests near Azerbaijani diplomatic missions in Turkey. The working group expressed dissatisfaction with what it considered the lack of response from the Turkish ruling party to such demonstrations.

Azerbaijani parliamentarians called on representatives of Turkish political circles to show responsibility and respect the sovereignty of the country. At the same time, they emphasized that individual statements by politicians should not harm the special relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

It should be noted that the issue of restrictions on wearing hijabs in educational institutions in Azerbaijan has been relevant for about 20 years. For example, on October 5, 2012, about 200 believers gathered in front of the Ministry of Education building in Baku demanding that schoolgirls be allowed to attend classes in hijabs. The action escalated into clashes with the police, and according to the prosecutor's office and police, 65 people were detained.

In December 2010, after the Ministry of Education imposed restrictions on attending schools in hijabs, protests took place in Baku, Ganja, Masally, and the village of Nardaran. Participants in the actions demanded the lifting of the ban, pointing to violations of freedom of religion and the right of girls to education. In Ganja, the police suppressed a demonstration of about a hundred believers.

As early as September 2007, in Sumgayit, female students of one school were not allowed to attend classes for a week due to hijabs. According to the brother of one of the schoolgirls, the principal demanded that the girls remove their headscarves. After public intervention, the students were allowed to return to classes.