14.10.2026 14:16
While footage of the moments when students wearing headscarves were not allowed into the classroom at a school gate in Azerbaijan brought the February 28 period to mind, reactions from Turkey and the statement from Baku, "Do not intervene in our internal affairs," escalated the headscarf crisis between the two countries.
The new dress code regulation that went into effect in public schools in Azerbaijan has sparked a wide-ranging debate in the country and the region. While the refusal to admit students and teachers wearing headscarves to classes on the grounds of the new rules has caused reactions, the crisis has also been reflected in the diplomatic rhetoric between the two countries.
HARSH REACTIONS FROM TURKEY Criticism came one after another from the Turkish side against the ban practices. Presidential Chief Advisor Oktay Saral emphasized that he found the obstruction of the right to education of students wearing headscarves unacceptable and assessed, "The right to education cannot be sacrificed to any ideological imposition." AK Party Bursa Deputy Müfit Aydın also called for the practice to be ended immediately. AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, in his statement on the issue, underlined that no political tension would be allowed between the two countries and stated that some groups targeting Azerbaijan have no connection with the party or the government.
BAKU'S "INTERFERENCE IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS" STATEMENT The ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), led by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, did not delay its response to the criticism from Turkey. Accusing the ruling circles in Turkey of interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, the YAP leadership made the statement, "We call on the AK Party government to avoid this harmful policy."
An image taken during the February 28 period... IMAGES REMINISCENT OF THE FEBRUARY 28 PERIOD While the debates continued, footage recorded at a school in Azerbaijan caused outrage on social media. The moments when a female teacher stood at the classroom door and prevented students wearing headscarves from entering brought to mind the students who were removed from the podium because of their headscarves during the February 28 process in Turkey.