Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 15 / Trend M.Aliyev /
Azerbaijani Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Bahar Muradova supports the Azerbaijani Education Ministry's position on the hijab issue.
"I do not exclude that a secret group may be taking on the issue of wearing headscarves and trying to bring the issue before the public (in a negative light)," she told journalists today.
She added that she does not exclude the possibility that a secret group is behind the recent protests against the ministry's ban on wearing headscarves in schools.
The "Freedom to Hijab" rally was held in front of the Azerbaijani Education Ministry last week.
Police arrested about 16 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.
Azerbaijani Education Minister Misir Mardanov accused external and internal forces of the aggravation of situation in connection with the banning of the hijab in educational institutions.
"Azerbaijan has its education legislation and each educational institution has its own internal charter, and the charter's rules should be followed. There is a school uniform in the country's educational institutions and children should come to school in these clothes," Muradova said.
She added that state agencies have a right to interfere in educational issues.
"The organization of educational opportunities and the adoption of educational programs are the responsibility of the state. State agencies have the right to directly interfere in all issues in this sphere," Muradova said.