Speaking to IQNA, Hojat-ol-Islam Sadegh Golzadeh, a researcher in social studies, said that freedom cannot be defended selectively. If women have the right to choose what to wear, he says, that right should extend to Muslim women who choose to observe the Islamic dress code.

“True freedom means that human beings enjoy their legitimate rights and choices while respecting the rights of others,” Golzadeh said. “No individual or group should be deprived of their human dignity and fundamental rights simply because of differences in beliefs, religion or dress.”

He noetd that the principle of freedom of dress loses its meaning when it protects some choices while restricting others. Defending the right to dress without religious symbols, he maintained, should not come at the expense of a woman's right to wear a hijab.

The issue, Golzadeh added, goes beyond clothing. When girls are prevented from attending school because of their religious dress, questions arise about freedom of conscience, equal treatment and the right to education.

Hijab restrictions and the question of double standards

The debate has taken on renewed significance amid restrictions on religious dress in several countries.

In France, a 2004 law prohibited students in public primary and secondary schools from wearing religious symbols, including Islamic headscarves. Austria's lower house of parliament passed a separate measure in December 2025 banning Muslim headscarves for girls under 14 in schools, prompting concerns over religious freedom and discrimination.

More recently, a September 2026 amendment to the Republic of Azerbaijan's school rules triggered controversy after schools barred students and teachers wearing hijabs from attending classes. 

Read More: Iran Seminary Scholars Urge Reconsidering Hijab Restrictions in Azerbaijan Republic

Golzadeh said that human rights principles should be applied consistently, regardless of a person's religion, nationality or clothing.

The expert noted that some powerful countries have been claiming to defend women's rights and freedom of choice while supporting policies that restrict the choices of women who wear religious dress.

“Human rights should not become a selective instrument for advancing political objectives,” he highlighted.

He also stressed that a secular state is not exempt from respecting religious freedom. A government need not base its laws on religious teachings, he added, to be obligated to protect the rights of citizens who hold religious beliefs.

For Golzadeh, the central issue is whether a woman's religious conviction becomes grounds for excluding her from educational and professional opportunities.

He noted that restrictions must be examined against the principles of freedom of religion and conscience, the right to education and the prohibition of discrimination.

Each country's legal framework and circumstances require careful examination, he said, adding that however, appeals to secularism should not automatically override the rights of religious minorities.

An Islamic perspective on human dignity

Golzadeh also called for greater engagement with Islamic teachings in international discussions of human rights. He points to Imam Ali's (AS) letter to Malik al-Ashtar, a major text in Islamic political thought, as a source emphasizing justice, humane governance, respect for people's rights and opposition to discrimination.

He added that comparative research could help bring Islamic ethical and political traditions into dialogue with international human rights frameworks, rather than treating them as separate or incompatible bodies of thought.

Read More: Impasse of Imposed Secularism in Republic of Azerbaijan

Golzadeh urged international organizations, Muslim-majority countries, religious scholars and human rights groups to examine cases involving restrictions on hijab-wearing women and girls. He also called on the media to investigate the issue through documented research and discussions involving legal experts, religious scholars and women's rights advocates.

The ultimate test, he said, is not whether governments endorse freedom in principle, but whether they uphold it for people whose choices differ from the majority.

“Defending women's rights should not be limited to a particular group or outlook,” Golzadeh said. “Muslim women should enjoy the same protections that are demanded for other women.”

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Translation by Mohammad Ali Haghshenas