Retired U.S. Army Major and military expert John Spencer, who was in Baku to attend the presentation of his book The War for Karabakh, visited the “Liberated Woman” monument on the final day of his stay in the Azerbaijani capital.

Axar.az reports that, sharing his impressions on X, Spencer highlighted Azerbaijan’s secular character, despite the fact that the majority of the country’s population is Muslim.

“Last day in Baku. Visited the "Free Woman" or "Unveiling" statue. As a Western visitor to Azerbaijan, there are many surprises. One is the secular nature of a Muslim-majority country where women are not required to cover their hair, can dress as they choose, serve in government, and pursue careers across society. In the middle of Baku stands the Free Woman monument or statue of a liberated woman, depicting a woman removing her veil. Erected in 1960, it symbolizes Azerbaijani women’s emancipation, their freedom to abandon the veil, pursue education, and participate in public life.

That history remains relevant today. Azerbaijan recently tightened school uniform rules, restricting the hijab in public schools in defense of its longstanding secular tradition. Not a nationwide ban on the hijab as some media have claimed, but school dress restriction. Women are free to wear it outside school.

I find the contrast with neighboring Iran striking, especially when it comes to women’s freedoms, including control over their own appearance and lives.

In Iran, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in September 2022 after being arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules and then beaten to death in captivity. Her story is one of many of the human rights violation by Islamic Regime in Iran’s against their own society that includes murder, torture, sexual violence, and persecution of women, mowing down protestors with machine guns.

Be more like Azerbaijan" the post reads.