Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Aghayeva / On 24 September, the rector of the Azerbaijani State Institute of Teachers did not allow a group of students to attend studies for wearing hijab (Muslim scarf), the chairman of DEVAMM, a centre for protection of liberty of conscience and religion and human rights activists Ilgar Ibrahimoghlu, said. The girls applied to the centre for help.
According to Ibrahimoghlu, the rector of the Institute at her own decision prohibited the students entering the institute wearing hijab. "The rector of the institute, Agiya Nakhchivanli, considers her actions to be right and advises those who do not agree with her to pass to the theology faculty," Ibrahimoghlu said after speaking with the rector.
In accordance with Azerbaijani legislation, pious women are prohibited only to have their photo taken for passports, in all other cases their actions are legal.
"The administration of the institute thought the girls would feel shy and go away, but when our organization supported the students who protected their own rights the administration had nothing to do but to allow the students to attend studies," he Ibrahimoghlu said.
The centre intends to keep eye on the situation over several days, he said.
The Azerbaijani Education Ministry is investigating the incident in the institute. "A meeting at the administration of the Ministry with the students whose rights were violated by the administration of the institute is scheduled for the second half of the day," a source at the Ministry reported.