Fatima Fočak-Mujezinović (1917-1980) – a role model Bosniak woman

Authors

  • Ferid Dautović

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26340/muallim.v25i100.2130

Keywords:

Fatima Fočak, hajji’bula, waiz, social and humanitarian engagements

Abstract

UDK: 929Mujezinović F.

Fatima Fočak was born on August the 8th 1917, in Sarajevo, on 50, Vratnik mejdan street. Her father was renowned ‘alim, Abdulah effendi Fočak, and mother Almasa-bula, maiden name Berberović. She completed religious school for girls (Gazi Husrev-bey madrasa for girls) in 1943, and started her working career as an assistant prefect in the dormitory of the madrasa for girls, then as muallima in Skender-pasha maktab for girls and in the maktab of Ahmed-aga Henda on Vratnik. In 1954, at age 37, she married Mehmed Mujezinović, who was 41 at the time. Hajji Fatima and hajji Mehmed effendi had two children: Mustafa and Amina. Along with a remarkable contribution she made working in Maktab and the school, she was also well known for her religious lectures and naseehat. She was very socially active as well. In 1942, when the women's branch of “Al-Hidaye” association was established, she was one of the first members, and later the president of the temporary board of directors. On October 5th1943, when the women’s section of “Mladi muslimani” association was founded, Fatima Fočak joined it and was elected as its president. As a humanitarian activist, she helped refugees in World War II, saving their children and raising funds through the Islamic Community and “Merhamet” to help them. During the Second World War, she was engaged as a religious teacher in children Hostel Fužine – Gorski Kotar (Croatia), where the refugee Muslim children were sheltered.

Published

20-02-2025

How to Cite

Dautović, F. (2025). Fatima Fočak-Mujezinović (1917-1980) – a role model Bosniak woman. Novi Muallim, 25(100), 138–145. https://doi.org/10.26340/muallim.v25i100.2130