Saadet Party Chairman Mahmut Arıkan has published an open letter addressed to Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev due to the headscarf ban reportedly being enforced in educational institutions in Azerbaijan.
Arıkan began his letter by expressing his affection for Azerbaijan, noting that the victory achieved in Karabakh also created great joy in Turkey. Emphasizing that they share the joy and sorrow of Azerbaijan with the understanding of “two states, one nation,” Arıkan commemorated those who lost their lives and the veterans in Karabakh with gratitude.
Arıkan stated that they were deeply saddened by the fact that students are not being admitted to schools due to their headscarves. Pointing out that there are many headscarved individuals among the mothers, wives, and children of those who took part in the Karabakh struggle, Arıkan expressed that this practice would wound the conscience of society.
Not allowing the loved ones of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their homeland into schools because of their headscarves will undoubtedly wound consciences and cast a shadow over the spirit of that great victory.
In his letter, Arıkan also referred to the headscarf bans in Turkey during the February 28 period, stating that depriving young girls who cover their heads due to their faith of their right to education created artificial tensions between the state and the nation. Arıkan argued that history has shown such pressures damage social peace.
Stating that the region is being targeted through ethnic and sectarian divisions, Arıkan expressed that Azerbaijan should not repeat the pains that Turkey experienced in the past.
At the end of his letter, Arıkan stated that they desire for Azerbaijan to rise with “science, knowledge, morality, and freedoms,” and requested that the practices regarding headscarves be ended as soon as possible.
News Source: 12punto
