At today's meeting of the Milli Majlis Committee on Family, Women, and Children's Issues, the prohibition of forcing children to adhere to a religion was discussed. This topic, which has generated wide resonance in society, has once again brought to the forefront questions regarding the place and scope of influence of religious elements, particularly in the educational environment. How religious symbols, as well as dress codes and behavioral models, affect children's worldview, and to what extent this influence aligns with the principle of voluntariness, became the subject of discussion.
In his statement to Modern.az, education expert Elçin Əfəndi regretfully noted that as soon as the concept of “religion” is mentioned in our society, only Islam is automatically implied:
“However, the discussion is not only about Islam, but also about Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and other religions. That is, this issue applies to all religious beliefs.
In general, it is unacceptable to forcibly instill any religious belief in children during early childhood or school age, to exert pressure in this direction, or to subject them to mass mobbing or bullying. After a person reaches an age where they can comprehend life, they should decide for themselves whether to accept a particular religious belief or whether they will live with religious faith at all.”
The education expert also noted that freedom of religious belief is enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and this right should also be recognized for children and students:
“They must have the right to free choice in this matter. This principle is also protected in educational institutions: regardless of which religion minors belong to, be it Islam, Christianity, or another religion – no discrimination, exclusion, or biased attitude is observed towards them.
However, it must be explicitly stated in legislation that any mandatory presentation or application related to religious belief for children up to a certain age is unacceptable. I believe that, especially for children under 16, no coercive mechanisms of influence related to religion should be allowed. Their redirection to any religious movement through violence, pressure, or psychological influence must be prohibited. These provisions must definitely be reflected in the legislation.”
E. Əfəndi added that in previous years, approximately 8-10 years ago, information was found in the mass media regarding certain religious communities attracting students to religious movements. However, in recent years, such cases are almost never encountered.
“In general, religious elements in educational institutions may manifest primarily in students' dress styles and behaviors. However, this should not mean that children are kept away from religion. This does not imply that students will be prone to negative or undesirable behaviors. In educational institutions, their ethical conduct rules, psychological development, and social skills are formed within the framework of the educational process.
Consequently, regarding the factor of religion, children should be granted the opportunity to make free decisions up to a certain age limit – this could be 16 or 18 years old. Only after reaching that age should they decide for themselves which religion to adhere to or whether they will live with religious faith at all,” the expert noted.
Another education expert, Ramin Nurəliyev, also believes that the forced acceptance of any religion or religious denomination by citizens, especially minors, or their forced affiliation through pressure, is absolutely unacceptable by the state, and appropriate responsibility is stipulated for such cases:
“Religion is meaningful and valuable only when a person voluntarily accepts it, loves it, and wishes to be a part of it. The concept of religion built on coercion is incorrect. If religion is propagated, it should be done in a correct, comprehensive, and understandable manner so that individuals comprehend the values of that religion and strive to live in accordance with those values. In my opinion, the performance of religious rites as a result of physical or psychological pressure applied to children, especially in families, is not the right approach.
R. Nurəliyev also noted that regarding the issue of forcibly dressing students in religious attire or forcibly instilling a religious lifestyle in compulsory secondary general education schools, Islam itself does not accept such coercion.
"Understanding these values correctly and living voluntarily is the most appropriate path. However, the mandatory application of any religious rule, be it a form of dress or behavior, can later lead to more serious negative consequences. For example, if a student who wears a headscarf during school years due to parental pressure has not consciously assimilated religious values, they may refuse this attire in higher grades by comparing themselves with society, which can create psychological discomfort."
The expert also emphasized that religion should be built on healthy relationships both within the family and in society, and there should be no place for violence and pressure in parent-child relationships.
