{"id":304589,"date":"2026-10-13T10:22:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T06:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abcmedia.am\/?p=304589"},"modified":"2026-10-13T10:35:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T06:35:58","slug":"bbc-tiktok-and-instagram-blocked-in-azerbaijan-amid-protests-over-school-hijab-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abcmedia.am\/en\/news\/304589\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC: TikTok and Instagram blocked in Azerbaijan amid protests over school hijab ban"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today, Azerbaijan’s two most popular social media platforms, TikTok and Instagram, can only be accessed using a VPN, sparking widespread complaints from users.<\/p>\n

The authorities have not yet provided any explanations or officially confirmed the blocking of these social media platforms.<\/p>\n

However, many connect the incident to public dissatisfaction with a Cabinet of Ministers resolution regarding school dress codes, BBC<\/a> reports. In the comments the majority of users express discontent with the ban, and protests have broken out in some schools demanding that girls wearing hijabs be allowed to enter.<\/p>\n

Azerbaijan is a secular country, but over 90% of its population is Muslim. The Cabinet resolution of September 21 does not explicitly mention the hijab, stating only that clothing must comply with the principle of secular education. The document applies to both students and teachers.<\/p>\n

Yesterday, the authorities reported the arrest of 37 people who attempted to obstruct the enforcement of the regulation. According to official reports, a “group of individuals” in the capital created “conflict situations with education workers in schools regarding the enforcement of unified school uniform rules,” “damaged public educational institutions,” disturbed public order, and disrupted traffic and school operations. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet provided further details.<\/p>\n

A BBC source in a Baku school reported that high school students were also instructed to shave off their beards. Beards are not mentioned in the law.<\/p>\n

Hijabs in Azerbaijani schools were previously banned in back 2011. At that time, it was an order by the Ministry of Education that triggered massive protests, the largest of which took place in Nardaran—a settlement known for its strong Islamic traditions—and in Baku, outside the Ministry building. Police made harsh arrests at the time, and some participants received real prison sentences.<\/p>\n

Critics say that the authorities in Azerbaijan have long and consistently fought against political Islam—believers trying to influence country politics by creating parties and public organizations. According to the Institute for Peace and Democracy, the majority of political prisoners in the country are members of religious groups. Recently, friction has arisen specifically over attitudes toward Islam between the more religious Turkey and Azerbaijan, which is often described as a “secular autocracy.”<\/p>\n

Conversely, government supporters have argued since the adoption of the resolution that the ban is part of strengthening the country’s sovereignty as it seeks to rid itself of external influence from other states. While they do not explicitly name their more religious neighbors, Iran and Turkey, many believe that Aliyev was referring precisely to Turkey when he recently spoke about countering external ideological interference and stating that Azerbaijan does not need patrons.<\/p>\n

The “Education Council” Public Association stated that “manipulating the ‘hijab’ topic works against stability, the atmosphere of tolerance, and national-spiritual values in the country,” and urged the public not to politicize the issue.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"