Shiite theologian Abgyul Suleymanov was arrested after criticizing the ban on hijabs in schools.

In Baku, Shiite theologian Abgyul Suleymanov has been arrested for 30 days, his relatives reported. The detention occurred after the theologian criticized on social media the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, which effectively legalized the ban on wearing hijabs in schools.

"Caucasian Knot" previously reported that Abgyul Nemat oglu Suleymanov and the editor of the site İslamazeri.az Ramin Jahangir oglu Bayramov were detained on August 12, 2011. Along with them, Arif Gyulsuvar oglu Ganiev was also detained. They were accused of "hostile activities against Azerbaijan, aiding a foreign state and its representatives, as well as inciting riots, violating public safety, and disobedience of citizens." The detainees denied the charges. On August 10, 2012, Suleymanov was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Suleymanov was administratively arrested for 30 days by a court decision on September 24. "Abgyul was transferred to the detention center for administrative offenders in the Binagadi district. He informed his family by calling home. A lawyer is supposed to meet with him to clarify the articles of the administrative case. Abgyul's car keys and phone were taken away," his wife Zahra Suleymanova told a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot" today.

Suleymanov was detained on the evening of September 22 in Baku. "Abgyul drove up to our house in his car. However, some time passed, and he did not come into the house. I went out to the yard to inquire. Young people in the yard said that Abgyul was taken away by 'banditism' officers (the unofficial name of the main department for combating organized crime, according to the 'Caucasian Knot')," the theologian's wife said.

On September 23, the theologian's family contacted the state security service and the GUBOP for clarification about his fate, but these agencies stated that Abgyul Suleymanov was not there. "Abgyul suffers from a severe form of diabetes, he constantly needs to take medication, and we do not know where to deliver the medicine to him," Zahra Suleymanova said.

She links her husband's detention to his posts on social media against the ban on wearing hijabs in schools. "We learned from the media about the government's new decision on the hijab ban. We called the Ministry of Education, and they said that this decision came into effect on September 21. Abgyul posted a critical post regarding this. The post received a large number of likes and comments," Zahra Suleymanova said.

It should be noted that the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan amended the rules regulating the appearance of students in public schools. The resolution, signed by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, prohibits wearing clothing that contradicts the principle of secular education, the state information agency "AzerTAj" reported.

According to the new document, students are prohibited from using any elements of clothing that violate the unified standard of uniform or do not correspond to the secular nature of education. The responsibility for ensuring compliance with these requirements is placed on parents and school pedagogical councils. The only exception is made for events dedicated to the history, culture, and national traditions of the country: students will be allowed to come in national costumes at the decision of the pedagogical council. Information about the new rules must be published on school websites and information boards within five working days.

Although the official statement does not mention the hijab, the term "clothing that does not correspond to the secular nature of education" is indeed referring to the hijab, believes activist and defender of believers' rights Arzu Abdulla.

"This is also confirmed by subsequent comments from deputies about the inadmissibility of using religious attributes in school uniforms. The ban on wearing hijabs was first introduced back in 2010. But this was based on some circular from the Ministry of Education. This ban has been both tightened and softened. Now, it has effectively been legalized. Of course, this violates the freedom of religion," she told a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot."

The activist also believes that Suleymanov may have been detained due to his protest against the hijab ban in schools. "Abgyul Suleymanov has already been arrested once and sentenced to 11 years in prison, and he fully served that term. He was also arrested after protests against the first bans on wearing hijabs," Abdulla said.

The reform aims to completely eliminate religious, ethnic, and socio-economic differences in educational institutions, stated Milli Majlis deputy Jeyhun Mamedov on September 21. Amendments to the law "On General Education" and corresponding resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers introduce a unified standard of clothing, ensuring a neutral and inclusive environment for all students, he believes.

"Children, regardless of their social status, family financial situation, ethnic and religious background, should learn in equal conditions and have equal opportunities," the agency APA quotes Mamedov's words.

It should be noted that believers, religious activists, and religious figures in Azerbaijan face persecution, physical violence, and politically motivated arrests for their faith and religious activities, the U.S. State Department stated in May 2023.