Khamzat Chimaev backs hijab-wearing students in Azerbaijan: “Free Hijab”

UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev posted a “Free Hijab” image over the Azerbaijani flag in his Instagram story, voicing support for students and teachers barred from schools in Azerbaijan for wearing headscarves.

MMA fighter Khamzat Chimaev voiced support for students and teachers in Azerbaijan who are being barred from classes for wearing headscarves. In his Instagram story, he featured an image reading “Free Hijab” over the Azerbaijani flag and the Baku skyline.

On Sept. 21, Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers amended school uniform rules, banning clothing deemed to violate uniform requirements or conflict with secular education principles. Although the text does not name the hijab, girls with covered heads were turned away from classes during inspections that began on Oct. 9.

A school building in Baku (file photo)

Protests and detentions

The decision sparked protests by parents and students. Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry said on Oct. 12 that 37 people had been detained for refusing to comply with the new rules and attempting to disrupt public order. The issue has also stirred debate in Türkiye, where Binali Yıldırım, chairman of the Organization of Turkic States’ Council of Elders, said no one should interfere in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs.