In a video message, Hossein Simayi Sarraf declared that Iranian universities are open to Azerbaijani girls wishing to continue their education.
“As the Minister of Science of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I declare that the doors of Iranian universities are open to girls from the Republic of Azerbaijan to pursue their studies,” he said.
He added that Iran could provide a welcoming environment for girls who follow the faith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but are forced to abandon their religiously prescribed hijab in order to exercise their right to education.
The invitation comes amid concerns over reports of educational restrictions affecting hijab-wearing students in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Mohammadreza Mohseni Sani, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, has written to Sahiba Gafarova, speaker of Azerbaijan’s National Assembly, expressing concern over reports that girls have been prevented from attending school because of their religious beliefs and headscarves.
In his letter, the Iranian lawmaker cited international instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which uphold the right to education and prohibit discrimination. He called on Azerbaijani authorities to investigate the reports transparently and ensure that girls are not forced to choose between their religious convictions and continuing their studies.
The controversy follows the enforcement of school dress-code rules in Azerbaijan that have reportedly resulted in some hijab-wearing students being barred from classes and female teachers being instructed to remove their headscarves. The restrictions have reportedly prompted student boycotts and demonstrations in Baku and other districts.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy in Baku has rejected allegations linking Tehran to the protests, describing them as baseless and warning that unsupported accusations could fuel divisions and damage friendly relations between the two neighboring countries.