SHAH ALAM – The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) has called on the Azerbaijani government to clarify the status of reported restrictions on Muslim students wearing hijab in schools and withdraw any discriminatory measures.
MAPIM president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said the organisation had yet to obtain verifiable official confirmation that the restrictions had been lifted nationwide.
He said any indication that the authorities were reconsidering the restrictions would be welcomed, but a local decision to admit students wearing hijab should not be mistaken for a nationwide policy reversal.
“What is required is a formal decision that protects the rights of all affected students and educators throughout the country,” he said in a statement today.
MAPIM stressed that religious freedom must not be sacrificed in the name of secularism, adding that school regulations should be consistent with fundamental human rights, equality before the law and the right to education.
It said Muslim girls should not be forced to choose between their religious convictions and continuing their education.
The organisation also highlighted Azerbaijan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which provide protections relating to religious freedom and access to education.
MAPIM urged the Azerbaijani authorities to conduct a transparent legal review of the relevant school regulations and their implementation, with meaningful consultation involving parents, educators, religious representatives and human rights institutions.
It outlined five demands, including an immediate official clarification on whether the restrictions remained in force, had been amended or had been formally withdrawn.
The organisation also called for the withdrawal of discriminatory restrictions, guaranteed access to education without interruption, protection for Muslim teachers and education personnel, and a transparent mechanism for complaints and redress.
MAPIM further urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), relevant United Nations human rights mechanisms and Muslim civil society organisations to engage constructively with Azerbaijan to resolve the issue.
It encouraged diplomatic dialogue with the Azerbaijani government, including through Malaysia’s diplomatic channels, to ensure that the country’s policies respected its constitutional framework and international human rights commitments.
“Our appeal is not directed against the people of Azerbaijan, nor does it disregard the country’s sovereignty. It is a principled call for the government to ensure that public policy protects the dignity and fundamental rights of every citizen,” Mohd Azmi said.
He said MAPIM would continue to monitor developments and called on the Azerbaijani authorities to provide an unequivocal answer on whether the restrictions had been formally withdrawn or remained in force.
“Freedom of religion, equal access to education and respect for human dignity must be upheld together,” he said. – DETIK MALAYSIA
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