The Role of Women in International Peacebuilding: An Islamic Perspective

Abstract

Dr. Aida Abadžic Hodžic is Senior Lecturer at the Art History Department, Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo. The name of this colloquium, with all its three aspects, indicates already the complexity and extraordinary relevance of the selected topic: the role of women, the process of building and maintaining peace in the world, and the interreligious perspective. In the first part, I will present some of the central principles and teachings of Islam in relation to the position, significance, and role of woman; then in the second, I will refer to the foundational views in Islam about peace, mercy, and justice; and in the concluding part, I will examine a contemporary Muslim peacebuilding experience, focusing specifically on the role and significance of Muslim woman in the process. At the same time, I will take a look at the modern, post-war experience of Bosnian society, which faces many problems and challenges, such as coming to terms with the harrowing events from a recent past that includes a large number of killed and displaced persons, processing all those responsible for war crimes, and finding basic preconditions for reconciliation and renewed coexistence. This experience also may be viewed as a model for future reflection on these issues in a wider, European political and social context.