Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 14 / Trend M. Aliyev /
Azerbaijani Education Minister accuses external and internal forces of the aggravation of situation in connection with the banning of the hijab in educational institutions.
"The protest, held last week in front of the Education Ministry in connection with the banning of wearing the hijab at educational institutions, was organized by certain forces both outside and inside the country," the Education Minister Misir Mardanov said today.
Last Friday, an unsanctioned rally was held in front of the Education Ministry in connection with the ban on wearing the hijab at educational institutions throughout the country.
Police arrested about sixteen participants of the unsanctioned rally. Five people were released after a warning and cases over 11 detained protesters were directed to the Narimanov District Court.
The minister called on organizers to abandon the wrong way.
"Our prophet urged to go to the light," the minister said. According to him, the country must take into account the processes occurring in the world.
"The ban on wearing the hijab is not a desire of the minister, but a line of state policy, which is supported by the Ministry," Mardanov concluded.