Fazel Lankarani: Hijab Ban in Azerbaijan Contradicts Explicit Quranic Ruling

Qom – The head of the Jurisprudential Center of the Holy Imams (AS) condemned the hijab ban in educational centers in Azerbaijan, calling the measure a violation of the explicit ruling of the Quran, and urged officials in that country to reconsider this policy.

According to Mehr reporter, Ayatollah Mohammad Javad Fazel Lankarani, at the beginning of his foreign jurisprudence lesson before noon in Chaharshanleh, criticized the decision of the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the banning of the hijab in educational centers.

Referring to the publication of news about the issue of education or hijab for hijab students in the Republic of Azerbaijan, he said: "It is very unfortunate that in a country with a Muslim and Shia majority, the authorities take decisions that are not compatible with Islamic principles, instead of providing the basis for citizens to enjoy their religious rights."

The Professor of Jurisprudence and Principles of Qom Seminary stressed that hijab is one of the explicit rules of Islam and clarified: Any confrontation with this divine rule is beyond an educational or administrative decision and is related to the religious beliefs of the Muslim community.

Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani warned the authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan about the consequences of such decisions and noted: If the government of this country really intends to confront Islam, the people will define their position against this approach, and religious scholars and elders will also play a role in explaining the duty of the people.

Opposing the hijab is opposing the divine decrees

Referring to the efforts that have been made during the past years to limit the hijab in some European countries, the head of the Jurisprudence Center of the Imams of Athar (a.s.) said: During the past decades, the opposing movements of Islam have tried to weaken Islam by limiting religious manifestations, and the hijab has always been exposed to such approaches due to its special position in the introduction and promotion of Islamic teachings.

Explaining the place of hijab in the belief system of Islam, he added: Hijab is not only an outward covering, but it expresses the relationship of man with God Almighty and commitment to divine commands, and observing it can be a manifestation of adherence to the teachings of the Holy Quran and Islamic values.

This professor of Qom seminary stressed that opposing the hijab means opposing a religious order, and stated: Any person or group in any part of the world who opposes this Quranic ruling, has in fact opposed one of the clear rulings of Islam.

Criticizing the approach of the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan towards hijab, Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani raised the question of why there should be a conflict between Muslim women enjoying the veil they believe in and the possibility of continuing their education, and why the authorities of this country have decided to limit the religious freedom of hijab-wearing students instead of logically examining the issue.

He also criticized the adherence of the country's officials to anti-Islamic policies and emphasized that the authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan should not accept approaches that limit the implementation of Islamic laws without examining the effects and consequences of such decisions.

Anti-religious rulers should learn from the past

The member of Qom seminary teachers' community continued to issue a clear warning to the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and demanded that the officials of this country learn from the fate of the rulers of the Taghut era and said: Those who were in positions of power in the past and confronted the religion and divine decrees, finally faced the consequences of their behavior and the government of Azerbaijan should also learn from this historical experience.

He added: The authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan should know that confronting religion and standing against divine decrees will undoubtedly have heavy consequences for them, and such an approach cannot benefit the rulers and the society.

Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani, referring to the protests formed in the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the banning of the hijab, thanked the people of this country for standing against this decision and demanded the continuation of their protests.

Stating that the protest against the hijab ban is not merely a defense of a personal desire, he said: By protesting against this decision, the people of Azerbaijan are defending a divine decree and they should know that God Almighty helps those who stand up to protect the decrees of religion.

The head of the Jurisprudential Center of Imams Athar (a.s.) emphasized the importance of the role of people and scholars in defending religious values, and expressed the hope that public protests can provide a basis for revising this decision and removing the restrictions imposed on Muslim women.

Hijab does not hinder women's education and progress

In another part of his speech, this distinguished professor of Qom Seminary rejected the claim of hijab conflict with women's education and progress and said: Hijab is not only an obstacle for women's academic development, but it can also provide the basis for their presence in various social fields.

He added: Observance of hijab does not mean that women are deprived of education, scientific activity or accepting social and political responsibilities, and Muslim women can take steps in the path of gaining knowledge and attaining important scientific and managerial positions by maintaining their religious veil.

Referring to the experience of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the presence of women in the scientific and political arenas, Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani stated: After the Islamic Revolution, the ability of women to achieve high academic degrees and accept important political responsibilities has been clearly demonstrated, and this experience shows that there is no conflict between the observance of the hijab and the advancement of women.

Emphasizing the competence of women to accept important responsibilities, he pointed out: Women can play a role in various scientific, social and political fields and having Islamic clothing should not be used as a factor to limit their opportunities.

Criticizing the policies that put the hijab against education, the head of the Jurisprudence Center of Imams Athar (a.s.) emphasized: instead of creating restrictions for Muslim girls, the authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan should provide them with the opportunity to benefit from education while adhering to their religious beliefs.

Freedom should also include veiled women

Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani, criticizing the selective interpretations of the concept of freedom, stated: If freedom is emphasized as a principle, the right of Muslim women to choose their religious clothing should also be recognized, and one cannot talk about freedom, but deprive a Muslim girl who intends to appear in the educational environment with a veil and hijab from this right.

He added: "Unfortunately, in some approaches, the concept of freedom has moved away from its true meaning, and women's rights are also interpreted in a way that instead of supporting their religious choice, provides the basis for their restriction and deprivation."

Emphasizing the need to respect the religious beliefs of Muslim women, this Qom seminary professor noted: Freedom cannot be limited to certain behaviors, but restrictions should be placed on people who want to live according to their Islamic beliefs.

Referring to the consequences of banning the hijab in educational environments, he emphasized the need for the authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan to pay attention to the religious rights of Muslim citizens and demanded an end to the restrictions that prevent the choice of Islamic clothing from continuing education.

Iranian officials condemn the hijab ban

At the end of his speech, the head of the Jurisprudence Center of Imams Athar (a.s.) condemned the decision of the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan to ban the hijab, emphasized the solidarity of the Iranian nation with the Muslim people of this country, and demanded the reaction of the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran against this action.

He said: "The nation of Iran stands by the people of Azerbaijan, and it is expected that the officials of the country will also warn and condemn this decision according to their abilities and capabilities."

Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani, emphasizing the need to defend the religious rights of Muslims, expressed hope that the authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan will reconsider their decision and provide the opportunity for Muslim women to enjoy religious freedom and observe hijab in educational centers.

In the end, he emphasized the necessity of realizing religious freedom in its true meaning and demanded to solve this problem as soon as possible.