Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (About, members, origin, India’s relation with OIC))

 

Why in News?

• India condemned the visit of the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and his comments on Jammu and Kashmir.
• It has said that the grouping has no locus standi in the matters related to the region.
• The government also said the OIC had already lost its credibility by taking a blatantly communal, partisan and factually incorrect approach on issues.

 

Background:

• Recently, OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha had undertaken a tour of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• He said that he visited PoK to implement a resolution adopted by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) at a recent session.

 

In Focus: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

Image Caption: Details of Organization of Islamic Cooperation

• OIC (formerly Organization of the Islamic Conference) is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations.
• OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world to ensure and safeguard their interest in economic, socio and political areas.
• It has membership of 57 states spread over four continents.
• It has a permanent secretariat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

 

What is the origin of OIC?

• The Organization was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco in 1969.
  • This summit was a result of criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.
• This organization has been termed a toothless tiger by many analysts when it comes to dealing with disagreements among member states.
• Every member has a veto. As a result, the organization fails to take a critical stand on serious disputes that are shaping in the middle east.

 

How is India’s Relationship with OIC?

• At the 45th session of the summit in 2018, Bangladesh suggested that India should be given observer status. It was vetoed by Pakistan.
  • This suggestion was on the basis that more than 10% of the world’s Muslim population live in India.
• It was Qatar that first proposed 'Observer' status for India at the OIC Foreign Ministers' meet in 2002.
• India was invited to attend the OIC meeting in 1969 but Pakistan prevailed upon and got the invite withdrawn.
• However, India, in 2019, made its maiden appearance at the OIC summit, as a guest of honour.
  • The then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed the inaugural plenary in Abu Dhabi.
• Despite this, the organization is known for its anti-India rhetoric under the influence of Pakistan.

 

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Q1) Where is the permanent secretariat of OIC?

The headquarters of the organization is located in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) with regional offices in New York, Geneva, Brussels, Iraq, Kabul, and Indonesia.

 

Q2) Which countries and organizations have an observer status in OIC?

OIC has given observer status to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central African Republic, Thailand, Russia, Turkish Cypriot State, United Nation, Non-Aligned Movement, League of Arab States, African Union, and Economic Cooperation Organization.

 

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