EMANCIPATION OF MUSLIM WOMEN: STATEMENTS OF REIS DŽEMALUDIN ČAUŠEVIĆ AND THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION THESE STATEMENTS

Abstract

This article deals with the issue of emancipation of Muslim women in Bosnia and Herzegovina between the two World Wars. It is a contribution to the studies about Muslim women issues. Statements of reis Džemaludin Čaušević, one of the most prominent Bosniak reformers, precipitated the solution to this problem. By the end of 1927, he stated that Muslim women in schools or working outside their homes are not obliged to cover their faces. He demanded the reform of the status of Muslim women of the time. Thus he said that Muslim women ought to be educated in all spheres of life especially as doctors and teachers. The Muslim woman has to become a strong economic factor that would secure economic growth and earnings. Modernists and reformers of the Islamic world of the time have head strong impact upon the thought of reis Čaušević in this regard. However his statements have initiated long discussions with the topic of the emancipation of women. Those inclined towards modernism and reform, supported the ideas of the reis while others, traditionalists have rejected such an idea of women emancipation. None the less, these discussions have brought about a gradual improvement of the status of Muslim women in family as well as in the society.