Pro-Hijab Rally Held in Azerbaijan

TEHRAN , May 8(FNA)- People in Azerbaijan held a rally in the capital city of Baku to voice their protest at the government's refusal to lift the ban on Islamic code of dressing in educational centers.
More than a thousand protesters gathered outside the Education Ministry building in the capital, Baku, on Friday to voice their opposition against the decree.

The demonstrators were holding placards reading slogans in support of the Islamic dress code and in condemnation of the government's use of force to disperse pro-hijab rallies and Muslim activists.

They also called for the resignation of Education Minister Misir Mardanov, who is seen heading the anti-hijab campaign in Azerbaijan's educational centers, press tv reported.

Friday's peaceful gathering soon turned violent when police forces assaulted demonstrators with batons and injured tens of people and arrested an unspecified number of others.

In December, Azerbaijan's government refused to lift a ban on Islamic veil or Hijab despite angry public protests against the controversial decision.

Azerbaijani officials have been preventing Muslim schoolgirls wearing headscarves from attending schools for a month since the ban was implemented.