The Azerbaijani regime has issued a decision that effectively prohibits wearing the khimar (head covering) in schools. According to the decision, which came into effect with Aliyev’s approval and instructions, students and teachers are prohibited from wearing “any clothing that does not conform to the principle of secularism.” Since the implementation of the decision began on 27 September, all female students and teachers wearing the khimar have been forcibly removed from their classrooms and have not been allowed to enter the schools again. As a result of the honourable stance taken by the female students and teachers, young and old, who refused to compromise their khimar regardless of the cost, and their opposition to the ban on the khimar, the oppressive, anti-Islamic Aliyev regime became enraged. Hundreds of Muslims who protested against the ban were detained, and restrictions were also imposed on online social media platforms.

We, in Hizb ut Tahrir / Wilayah Türkiye, appreciate and commend all the female students and teachers, young and old, for holding firmly to the khimar, which is a command from Allah, and for their honourable stance. We also salute the mothers, fathers, relatives, and all conscious members of the Azerbaijani people who stood against the ban without fear of the tyrant Aliyev and his henchmen, standing alongside the khimar and the crying children. We also appreciate all the individuals, institutions, and organisations in Türkiye that supported this honourable struggle of the Muslim Azerbaijani people and took a clear and explicit position against the oppressive regime’s decision, motivated by their religious and historical responsibility. May Allah reward every conscious Muslim who stood with the truth against falsehood and with the oppressed against the oppressor.

The Azerbaijani regime previously attempted to implement a ban on the khimar in 2010, but it was forced to withdraw the decision under pressure from public reaction. Its return to enforcing the ban today is evidence of the Aliyev regime strengthening its ties with disbelieving America and the usurping Jewish entity. The regime announced that it had taken this decision to preserve the secular character of the state and prevent ideological threats. This indicates the ongoing war waged by the disbelievers against Islam. Azerbaijan is not alone in this; many dictatorial regimes in the regions of Turkestan are inflicting this injustice upon Muslims, banning the khimar and even prayer. Western countries, led by France, have also waged a similar war against the khimar.

The reason for the Muslims’ weakness and helplessness in this struggle is the absence of a state that protects them: the Khilafah Rashidah (rightly guided Caliphate).

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: «لَتُنْقَضَنَّ عُرَى الإِسْلَامِ عُرْوَةً عُرْوَةً، فَكُلَّمَا انْتَقَضَتْ عُرْوَةٌ تَشَبَّثَ النَّاسُ بِالَّتِي تَلِيهَا، فَأَوَّلُهُنَّ نَقْضاً الْحُكْمُ، وَآخِرُهُنَّ الصَّلَاةُ»“The bonds of Islam will certainly be undone one by one. Whenever one bond is undone, the people will cling to the next one. The first to be undone is ruling, and the last is prayer.”

The absence of any reaction to the ban decision taken by the Azerbaijani regime from all the Western countries that boast of “human rights and the rule of law” exposes the extent of their hypocrisy. However, the silence of the Muslim countries, foremost among them Türkiye, is something that cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Considering the ban on the khimar an internal matter for Azerbaijan is an expression of misfortune, a lack of principles, and a lack of credibility. As for the threats issued by the Aliyev regime, its showering of Muslims in Türkiye with threats because of the press statements we delivered in front of its embassy in Ankara and its consulate general in Istanbul is of no consequence and means nothing. Likewise, the Azerbaijani courts’ issuance of arrest and summons orders against Professor Abdullah Imamoglu and Muslims from various circles carries no authority or value. The oppressive Aliyev regime will never be able to intimidate Muslims who defend the khimar of their sisters. We Muslims fear none but Allah, and we worship and obey none but Him.

Let the Aliyev regime, which relies on the kuffar (disbelieving) West and America and is allied with the murderous Netanyahu and his usurping entity, know that the Deen of Allah will prevail in this land once again, and that the Khilafah Rashidah will hold the oppressors to account, one by one, sooner or later.

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Türkiye