Afət Ziyadqızı
“In Azerbaijan, religion is separate from the state, and schools are separate from religion.”
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Caucasus Muslims Board Chairman Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade said this in an interview with Real TV.
“We are not in a position to say anything against state decisions. But we can speak as citizens. The hijab issue was raised in earlier periods, and I stated that the hijab is not a subject for debate. I say that again today.
“The hijab is an obligation sent to us by God. Scholars know how, in what way and at what age Muslims should wear it. The rules on school uniforms do not mention the hijab, and the hijab has not been banned in Azerbaijan either. I have not seen a ban on the hijab anywhere in Azerbaijan. There are madrasas and religious educational institutions; I am speaking about what I have seen. People, including children, attend classes wearing the hijab. But this decision has been made for state schools.
“I very much regret that there was no prior consultation on the adoption of this decision, although there could have been. Some people may not understand it correctly, or may not want to. Certain forces, both at home and abroad, are trying to use this to spread claims that Islam and Muslims are being mistreated and oppressed in Azerbaijan. They are politicizing the issue, and this concerns me. By using school uniforms as a political issue, they criticize the state and incite certain people against it. This is unacceptable. It is unacceptable because people gave their lives and shed their blood to restore Azerbaijan’s independence.
“I visit many countries and am a member of the World Muslim Elders Council. We were not elected there without reason. The conditions Azerbaijan has created allow others to regard us as an example,” the Sheikh said.
