Iran Opens University Doors to Azerbaijani Girls Facing Hijab Restrictions

Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, has invited girls and women from Azerbaijan to pursue higher education at Iranian universities following reports of restrictions on students and teachers wearing Islamic hijab in schools in Azerbaijan.

In a video message released on Thursday, Simaei-Sarraf announced that Iranian universities were ready to welcome Azerbaijani girls seeking to continue their education while observing their religious beliefs.

“As Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology, I announce that the doors of Iranian universities are open to girls from Azerbaijan,” he said.

The minister added that Iran was prepared to accommodate Muslim girls who were being forced to choose between wearing the Islamic hijab and exercising their right to education.

“We can be good hosts to the faithful daughters of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), who are forced to abandon their Islamic hijab in order to exercise their right to education,” Simaei-Sarraf stressed.

The invitation comes amid concerns over reported restrictions on the wearing of Islamic headscarves by students and teachers in Azerbaijani schools, raising questions about religious expression and access to education.

Iran’s offer provides an opportunity for Azerbaijani girls seeking to pursue university education in an environment where they can observe Islamic dress requirements.