03 June 2005, 00:39
Religious freedom suppressed in Azerbaijan
Shakhla Ismaiyl gyzy Aliyev, biology teacher at the city lyceum in Sumgait, was fired on 30 March 2005 because she covers her head with a headscarf in compliance with her religious views, according to DEVAMM, a centre for the protection of the freedom of conscience and religion. The school headmistress told her she should remove it because she was going to teach pupils the Darwinian evolution theory. "Besides, guests from foreign countries, the Council of Europe, come to our lyceum. What will they say if they see you with your head covered?" the headmistress was questioning, paradoxically enough.
Shakhla Aliyev lodged a lawsuit on 28 April. The trial was several times postponed though and the first hearing occurred only on 30 May.
More about religious freedom in Azerbaijan:
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent
