The New Azerbaijan Party, the party of Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev, has issued a statement in response to AKP members of parliament and Chief Advisor to the President Oktay Saral, who criticized the headscarf ban implemented in the country.
The statement issued by the New Azerbaijan Party included the following:
The populist and irresponsible statements made by Chief Advisor to the President of Turkey Oktay Saral and AK Party members of parliament are extremely regrettable.
The rules implemented in the field of education are based on the principles of equality, secularism, the rule of law, and providing equal opportunities for all citizens.
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is a secular state.
This principle is also included in the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey.
Using such issues as a tool for political pressure against Azerbaijan and interfering in our sovereignty and internal affairs is unacceptable.
We call on the AK Party government to abandon this harmful policy.
WHAT DID OKTAY SARAL SAY?
In his post, Saral stated that preventing students wearing headscarves from exercising their right to education is "unacceptable." Saral expressed that leaving a student who covers her head due to her faith at the school gate "does not fit with conscience and justice."
SARAL: THE HEADSCARF IS NOT AN OBSTACLE, IT IS A REQUIREMENT OF FAITH
In his post, Saral emphasized that the headscarf is not an obstacle, but a requirement of faith. Saral used the expressions, "The headscarf is not an obstacle, it is a requirement of faith! The right to education cannot be sacrificed to any ideological imposition!" Saral argued that the right to education should not be sacrificed to ideological impositions.
CALL TO AZERBAIJAN TO "TURN BACK FROM THIS MISTAKE"
Saral stated that they expect Azerbaijan to turn back from this mistake as soon as possible. Saral said, "One should not put obstacles in the way of the youth's future, but rather pave the way for them." Saral concluded his post with the words, "In this age, such a mindset should never be allowed!"
News Source: 12punto
