Simply Not Forgiving Erdogan: The Huge Crisis That Befell the Turkish President

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will not attend the summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara, despite a personal invitation from Erdogan. The official reason: a busy schedule. The background: a political crisis over restrictions on religious dress in Azerbaijani schools, which led to the dismissal of a senior Turkish advisor, the blocking of citizens, and legal measures.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will not attend the summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara, despite a personal invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The official reason is a busy schedule including a football ceremony in Baku, but the timing raises questions amid a political crisis between the countries. The crisis began in September, when Azerbaijan restricted the wearing of hijabs in schools, a move that drew sharp criticism in Turkey. Erdogan's senior advisor, Oktay Saral, criticized the restrictions and was fired by the president's order. In response, Azerbaijan accused Turkish elements of interfering in its internal affairs, banned the entry of 31 Turkish citizens, and issued arrest warrants for seven others. The crisis undermines the long-standing alliance between the countries, known as 'one nation, two states'. Sources in Azerbaijan said relations 'will never be as they were before'.