Out of nowhere, relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye hit an obstacle over the Azerbaijani government’s decision to ban hijabs in schools. This was a puzzling decision, as over 90% of Azeris are Muslim, and the Jewish kippah apparently remains permitted in schools. In order to understand this decision, it must be recognized that Azerbaijan is has an authorization regime, which doesn’t tolerate meaningful political opposition. Ideological or religious movements, such as Islam, are regarded with hostility born of insecurity by dictators, as they represent a unifying force beyond state control. The Soviet Union, of which Aliyev’s father was an influential member, also effectively banned religion for this reason.
When Azerbaijan’s support of Israel was recently criticized, instead of engaging in reflection, Aliyev’s government published material allegedly exposing covert Turkish-Israeli trade, Aliyev complained about a lack of support during the Karabakh liberation war (which is false), hijabs were banned from schools, and talks over the North-South Corridor were emphasized by Azeri press. These actions represent a backlash by a deeply insecure government that can’t tolerate even a hint of criticism.
The effect of this knee-jerk reaction has been protests in Azerbaijan, a loss of respect for Aliyev among Turks, and a strengthening of Muslim identity and solidarity among Azeri Muslims, who see a state that directs them to sacrifice lives in war, but prohibits them from expressing their religion, while still rewarding Jewish minorities with full religious freedom.
The correct course for the Azeri government is to remember that they are servants of their people, and not their masters. Engaging in further suppression of Azeri religious freedom is a perilous route that will only polarize Azeri society. Azerbaijan is a Muslim Turkish country, and trying to act otherwise is a futile and self-destructive policy, as history has shown.
