Veiled women appeal to state body

Baku, September 4, AssA-Irada

Devout women in Azerbaijan are unable to exercise their civil right to free travel over the problems they face with getting passports and other identification documents, says an appeal forwarded to the state body in charge of working with religious organizations on Monday. “This contradicts international law and conventions,” it said.

The country’s legislation does not allow taking passport photos with head-dress.

The document was forwarded to the chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations, Hidayat Orujov, after an event organized by the Center for Religious Faith and Protection of Freedom of Conscience and the Assembly of Support and Protection of Veils.

The head of the Center, Ilgar Ibrahimoghlu, said restrictions are still being applied on wearing veils in many countries, including Azerbaijan, a country with 98% Muslim population. Devout women face difficulties the most in acquiring IDs and attending a number of educational institutions.

A member of the Assembly, Khayala Guliyeva, said the Azerbaijani government is not taking the issue seriously enough.

The meeting attendees voiced hope that the outstanding problems would be solved with close involvement of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations.*