The right of Bosniak woman to employment and work outside the home: a historical review of the opinions and arguments of Bosniak religious elites based on interpretations of the Qur’an

Abstract

UDK: 28:305-055.2

The article thematises the right of Bosniak women to employment and work outside their homes in the context of the emancipation of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its introduction presents a brief review of employment and the work of women throughout history highlighting the limitations that were imposed upon their employment in public offices by the ulama and others based on the interpretation of the Qur’an. Further on, the article focuses on the practice of employment of women outside their homes from the period of Ottoman rule to the end of the Second World War, that is to say until the passing of the Constitution of FNRJ (Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia).  The article focuses on the opinions of Bosniak religious scholars regarding (non) permissiveness for women to work outside their homes with a special accent on their argumentation based on an interpretation of the Qur’an. It also presents here a brief view of the opinions of Bosniak ulama regarding women's employment in religious affairs.