Organization of Islamic conference: genesis & development with special reference to political & educational policies (1969-91)

Abstract

The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), now known as Organization of the Islamic Cooperation,1 is the second largest international organization after the United Nations and it also has permanent delegation to the United Nations. The OIC consists of 57 member states in which the Muslims constitute the majority of the population. These countries belong to various regions such as West Asia, Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, South East Asia, South Asia, etc. The organization possesses the economic, geographical, political, and human resources potentials that would endow it with a significant role to play in the international arena. The OIC was established in 1969 as a response to the challenges posed to symbolic sites and Holy Places (the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem). The idea of an organization that would unite Muslim efforts politically, culturally, and economically predates the 1969 burning of al-Aqsa. Successive meetings had taken place towards achieving this goal. Yet, in 1969 the moment seemed ripe for the success of the previous efforts due to the sense of a need for solidarity at a moment of crisis. The OIC is primary a Muslim organization concerned with the Muslim issues everywhere. It attempts to galvanize Muslim majority states into a unified body and to represent Muslims by espousing their causes, grievances, aspirations and concerns. The organization depends almost exclusively on diplomacy. It has 1 The decision was made on 28th June, 2011 over the Thirty-Eight Session of the Organization s Council of Foreign Ministers. In this thesis however, the old name is used, as the name changed happened when the thesis was already drafted. consultative and cooperative relations with the United Nations and other International Governmental Organizations to protect the vital interests of the Muslims and to work for the settlement of conflicts and disputes involving the member states. The OIC was envisioned as a decision-making body.