Press Release
The Colonizing Disbeliever Searches For What He Seeks Through a Microscope, While Deliberately Turning a Blind Eye to the Facts!
(Translated)

In a political move that is by no means unprecedented, the regime in Azerbaijan entered a new phase of its campaign against Islam between July and October 2026, following the adoption of stringent amendments to the Law on General Education. Under executive directives drafted by the Cabinet of Ministers, a standardized school uniform was mandated—a policy that effectively resulted in a total ban on the hijab within educational institutions. Although the decision was framed in flexible legal language that avoided explicit mention of head coverings, media monitors documented the arbitrary enforcement of the policy, which specifically targeted female students and teachers who wear the hijab. School entrances were effectively turned into checkpoints for screening hijabs; consequently, hundreds of girls were barred from attending classes, and dozens of teachers were summarily dismissed—a development that has led to a severe shortage of teaching staff in certain regions. To obscure the grim reality of the situation, the authorities imposed technical restrictions and deliberately throttled social media platforms, aiming to block independent media coverage and the circulation of videos documenting the expulsion of students and public protests. The regime made no secret of its justification for the decision, framing it as a matter of national security and sovereignty—a necessary step to safeguard the state’s secular character and preempt the influence of transnational ideological movements.

In the face of such audacity toward the Deen of Allah—and the infringement upon the rights of the people of this Muslim Ummah, which has a population of approximately 10.47 million, 97% of whom are Muslim—we have seen no outraged or condemnatory reactions from the West. This is particularly true of European nations, which are otherwise quick to lecture us about freedoms, human rights, and women’s rights whenever the issue concerns attempts to promote modesty or decency, or to combat immorality and moral decay.

Although Azerbaijan neighbors Iran, the West has—metaphorically—turned a blind eye to the state’s treatment of veiled women in Azerbaijan, while simultaneously using a magnifying glass to scrutinize the efforts of pro-hijab activists in Iran. Supporters of mandatory hijab-wearing have launched online campaigns urging people to avoid patronizing shops run by women who do not adhere to prescribed religious dress codes. These digital initiatives have been dubbed "conscious shopping"—a strategy aimed at directing consumers to support businesswomen who wear the hijab, while shunning those who do not. The West has interpreted these activities as a troubling form of pressure on women—a type of unacceptable coercion that infringes upon women's rights! While those in power—along with the West—see no harm in forcing Muslim women, students, and teachers who are committed to their faith to remove their hijabs—even if this results in them being denied an education or dismissed from their jobs—we see the very same people weeping and lamenting over individual or societal initiatives that encourage the observance of the hijab!

A stance that can only be understood in the context of a complete abandonment of reason and logic in interpreting the situation—a manifestation of blind hatred and animosity toward Islam and every aspect of it—in confirmation of the Almighty’s words:

[قَدْ بَدَتِ الْبَغْضَاء مِنْ أَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِي صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الآيَاتِ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ]

“Their prejudice has become evident from what they say—and what their hearts hide is far worse. We have made Our revelations clear to you, if only you understood” [TMQ Aali 'Imran 3:118].

How desperately the Ummah needs the Khilafah (Caliphate) state—a state that would recalibrate time, space, and events according to the laws of Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; restore a life of honor, chastity, and dignity to the Ummah and its people; and put an end to the influence of colonialist disbelievers (kuffar) and criminal rulers. Therefore, we call upon you, O Muslims, to hasten your steps alongside us toward the establishment of the second Khilafah Rashidah (rightly guided Caliphate) state; its time has truly come, and its absence is profoundly felt.

The Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir