The constitution protects religious freedom, but other laws and policies restrict religious freedom and, in practice, the government generally enforced these restrictions, reads the International Religious Freedom Report issued by State Department.

The report mentions that the Azerbaijani government monitored and raided some religious services, confiscated religious materials, and harassed and detained members of Muslim and Christian groups.

“Examples of new government restrictions were: a ban on the wearing of the hijab (headscarf) for female students in elementary and secondary schools for the sake of preserving a secular environment in the country’s schools and substantial increases in fines for violating laws on religious activities,” says the report.

Several mosques were closed or destroyed in 2009 for various reasons. In late April 2009, authorities closed the Shahidlyar Mosque, built with Turkey’s support. Some observers viewed the closure as retaliation against Turkey for its efforts to improve its relationship with Armenia. According to the Turkish Embassy, the mosque was closed for repairs. It currently remains closed, the report says.