Turkish presidential adviser Oktay Saral has resigned after criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities' decision to restrict religious clothing in schools, the politician's close circles inform, Cumhuriyet daily reports.
"Mr. President appointed me to this position, and I resigned on his instructions. I am not offended by anyone," Saral said in an interview with journalist Talat Atilla.
According to Saral, his resignation is likely related to his statements about Azerbaijan.
In September, the government of Azerbaijan amended the rules on the appearance of students in the country’s public schools. Under the new rules, students are prohibited from wearing clothing that violates the standards of school uniforms, or does not correspond to the secular nature of education in the country.
The decision was criticized by a number of political and public circles in Turkey. On September 13, Saral, an advisor to the Turkish president, spoke out on social media against Baku's decision, stating that the right to education of female students wearing religious clothing should not be hindered.