Hawzah News Agency- a group of Azerbaijani clerics residing abroad issued a statement in response to the ban on hijab in Azerbaijani schools and restrictions imposed on hijab-wearing women, declaring their support for the people's demands and calling for an end to these restrictions and guarantees for citizens' religious and legal rights. They also emphasized the need to respect the rights of peaceful protesters and release those unlawfully detained.
The text of the statement is as follows:
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Dear Azerbaijani Nation!
In recent days, we have witnessed distressing events in our country regarding the hijab ban. On one hand, hijab-wearing girls are barred from entering schools, mothers and children of martyrs are disrespected, and peaceful protesters are arrested; on the other hand, there are parents and students demanding their legal rights.
We, Azerbaijani clerics, consider it our duty to stand with our nation, the honorable families of martyrs and veterans, in this rightful struggle, and to join our voice to theirs. We believe that on the eve of the Fatimiyya mourning period, by the grace of God Almighty, the special favor of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her), the prayers of the martyrs, the tears of our innocent girls, and the steadfast will of our nation—and by not retreating from the struggle for truth—this injustice will be brought to an end.
We hereby declare our demands to the relevant government institutions:
1. Guaranteeing the Right to Education for Hijab-Wearing Students
The right to education for hijab-wearing students must be guaranteed, and the prohibition on their entry into schools on account of wearing the hijab must end.
2. Removing Restrictions Against Hijab-Wearing Women
Obstacles and restrictions sometimes imposed on hijab-wearing women in government offices, public places, commercial centers, and transportation must be removed. No citizen should face restrictions because of their religious beliefs.
3. Permitting Hijab-Wearing Photos in Identity Documents and Passports
Permission must be granted for the use of hijab-wearing photos in identification cards and passports. Existing barriers to the presence of individuals adhering to religious dress with hijab-wearing photos in official documents must be removed, and their freedom of religious belief must be respected.
4. Respecting the Rights of Peaceful Protesters
The rights of participants in peaceful protests must be respected. Citizens' civil and peaceful demands for rights must be honored, and those unlawfully detained must be released.
We also declare that we will accept no agreement that codifies the hijab ban. We consider actions and statements that cast a shadow over the nation's rightful struggle—as well as attending school with wigs or hats—religiously unacceptable and evaluate such actions as being in line with the destruction of Islamic identity.
We express our gratitude to all people and activists who have supported the defense of hijab-wearing women's rights. We pray for citizens who, until a just solution to this issue is achieved, have not retreated from the struggle for truth and are demanding their legal rights, and we beseech God Almighty for their patience and steadfastness.
We ask God Almighty for unity, patience, and assistance for our nation. We believe that the will of our nation and the efforts made in defense of truth will bear fruit.
May God protect our nation!
This statement is issued by a group of Azerbaijani clerics who have studied or taught in the seminaries of Najaf, Qom, and Mashhad, as well as Azerbaijani clerics residing in Russia and European countries.
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