The October 12 meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni took place amid protests against restrictions on wearing the hijab in Azerbaijani schools. Although the official agenda included public order, combating transnational crime, and regional security, the timing of these events highlights the sensitivity of religious issues for Azerbaijan’s domestic stability and its relations with Tehran.

 

On October 12, Ilham Aliyev received Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni. According to official information, the sides discussed prospects for cooperation between their respective agencies and regional security issues. Particular attention was paid to law enforcement cooperation and maintaining public order.

The visit took place amid public discontent over new school uniform requirements. Although the Azerbaijani government’s September 21 resolution does not explicitly ban the hijab, its implementation has reportedly resulted in some female students being denied access to schools. Against the backdrop of protests in Baku and other parts of the country, Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry reported the detention of 37 people and the initiation of criminal proceedings.

The situation presents Azerbaijani authorities with the challenge of upholding the secular character of education while preventing further escalation of public tensions. If the restrictions continue to be perceived by some segments of society as an infringement on religious freedom, the dispute over school uniforms could take on a broader political dimension.

Azerbaijan’s proximity to Iran, where religion plays a significant role in state ideology and regional policy, adds another dimension to the situation. For Baku, a potential risk lies in the possibility that the domestic dispute could become a subject of external political pressure or information confrontation. However, no publicly available evidence has been presented to establish Tehran’s involvement in organizing the protests.

 

Overall, the talks between Baku and Tehran should primarily be viewed as part of bilateral cooperation on security issues. Nevertheless, against the backdrop of the hijab protests, they also highlight the close interconnection between domestic stability, religious identity, and relations with neighboring states in regional politics.

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12.10.2026 11:37