28 January 2011 - 20:30

Azerbaijan has warned religious parties that it will not tolerate attempts to stir up discontent over a law preventing girls from wearing the Muslim hijab to school.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Azerbaijan has warned religious parties that it will not tolerate attempts to stir up discontent over a law preventing girls from wearing the Muslim hijab to school.

"In the struggle with religious parties, all our officers are watchful and vigilant," Ramil Usubov, the country's Interior Minister told the official newspaper.

His comments came after several demonstrations against legislation regulating school uniforms, which effectively prohibits the wearing of the Islamic headscarf in schools.

The leader of the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan was also illegally detained on terrorism charges this month after calling for the overthrow of the government, accusing it of violating religious rights by prohibiting the hijab in schools.

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