ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC

CONFERENCE (OIC)

Group Members:
Waleed Virk
Khizer Asif
Usman Abid
Mohammad Azeem
INTRODUCTION
 The formation of the OIC happened shortly after
the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Leaders of Muslim
nations met in Rabat to establish the OIC on
September 25, 1969.
 Mission is to represent Muslim people and to
strengthen cooperation among Member States in
political, economic cultural and social fields.
 The forty-year-old Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) is the second largest
international body after the UN.
CONT…
 Itcomprises of fifty seven nations spread over
four continents.
 Some experts say the organization has been
ineffectual, but they also note its tremendous
potential for addressing the issues facing
Muslims.
GOALS OF OIC
 To safeguard people of the member states and
Muslims.
 Strengthen Islamic solidarity.

 Consolidate Cooperation among members states in

social, cultural and scientific fields
 Safeguard the Holy places.

 Support the struggle of the Palestinian people.

 Eliminate racial discrimination and all forms of

colonialism.
CHALLENGES
 Difficulties in coordination.
 Geographically dispersed (Africa, Asia, Middle
East, Southeast Asia).
 Politically diverse. (Islamic Republics,
Monarchies, Democracy, Military Dictatorships)
 National Income differences (Richest like Saudi
Arabia and poorest Afghanistan)
CONT…
 The unifying force is Islam. Aims to protect the I
slam  from Western materialism.
 Palestinian-Israeli crisis, Arab-Israeli crisis, the
Bosnian Crisis, Kashmir, Iraq and Afghanistan
crisis.
 2006, Danish newspaper published offensive
cartoons of Prophet Mohammed. OIC took a
unified stand on the issue.
CONT…
 Greatest challenge is the Sep 11 attacks since
2001.OIC condemned the attacks on US but
Iran, Iraq and Syria have also condemned the
US.
OIC’S PASSIVE EXISTENCE:
UNFULFILLED DREAMS?
 The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)
has come a long way and to nowhere.
 Muslims forms one third of the worlds’
population and UN member countries,
controlling vast natural resources and strategic
waterways.
 Thus, potential for the OIC to emerge as an
influential grouping is indeed tempting.
 The issue that propelled the Muslim countries to
campaign for greater cooperation -- the desecration of
the Al Aqsa Mosque ( Jerusalem ) –is now
overshadowed by other interests.
 After 38 years of existence, OIC remains on the
margin of world affairs, even when they concern
Muslims and Muslim states.
 What is then wrong with OIC? Why does such an
organization with large membership and geographical
diversity has little role in international affairs?
REASONS FOR OIC’S FAILURE
 One of the most visible failures of OIC is the
non-resolution of the Palestinian problem.
 It remains an issue of contention and
dissatisfaction for the Muslim world.
 The recent Israel-Lebanon conflict again
demonstrated this paralysis and the
marginalisation of OIC in international affairs.
CONT…
 The geopolitical diversity and political differences of its
members reduced its cohesion and ability to influence in
international affairs.
 A former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir
Mohammad remarked that the disparity of support between the
economically powerful and politically influential Muslim
countries and the less fortunate ones is somewhat glaring.
 Keen supporters of OIC, such as Pakistan, are poor , politically
weak and lacking in economic resources.
CONT…
 While the richer and more influential members
lack the political will to be in the driver’s seat to
guide the direction of the OIC.
 This lack of political strength is further reduced
by serious disunity among OIC countries,
especially in West Asia.
 It is now an open secret that the world does not
place much importance to OIC in resolving
conflicts affecting Muslim countries.
CONT…
 Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf
states are oil and capital rich
 But their billions of dollars worth are carted away for
investment and safekeeping in Europe and the United
States .
 This high degree of economic and financial dependency
of these countries make them vulnerable to European
and American domestic and foreign policies
 thus further reducing their utility in empowering the OIC
and elevating it to a respected intergovernmental
organization.
CONT…
 OIC in many of its summits have produced
various “action plans” intending to increase
cooperation in economic, financial and
developmental matters.
 In practice , however, this was hampered by
many obstacles.
 Suggestions to create a common currency for
OIC countries trading purposes and for the
purpose of switching from the dollar has not
materialised .
CONT…
 Technical and economic assistance provided in
the form of foreign aid to poor countries by
better off Muslim countries has failed to make
significant impact.
 This is due to the inability of recipient countries
to fruitfully utilise such cooperation.
 Such is the case of the Malaysian Technical
Cooperation Programme to several African
countries leaving the donor country with a sense
of frustration.
CONT…
 The weakness of OIC is also surprising when we
see that a number of its members are militarily
strong.
 Iran , Pakistan , Egypt , Turkey and Indonesia
have large armies , with Iran and Pakistan having
nuclear ambition.
 A number of Muslim countries— Malaysia ,
Pakistan , Bangladesh and Turkey have
participated in many of the UN Peacekeeping
missions, demonstrating their ability to
contribute towards international peace and
security.
CONT…
 However, any suggestion that OIC countries converge
towards an alliance with military implication would be
politically suicidal.
 Prevailing circumstances will not allow OIC to develop
any form of common security policy or arrangements.
 Moreover , the event of September 11, 2001 has made
Islam, and the Muslim world suspects.
 Therefore, any attempt on the part of OIC to promote a
military cooperation would be seen as threatening to the
rest of the world.
CONCLUSION
 With all those constraints and more, the OIC thus
remains very much an observer in international relations.
 OIC has been unable to act as a political force and to
present a united front in the face of rising challenges of
globalization.
 Due to this the gap between western and islamic
civilisations is widening.
CONT…
 Can the OIC be politically united and economically
empowered to make itself relevant?
 This is a responsibility and commitment that major
countries in OIC must be willing to undertake
 OIC must enhance and consolidate its collective
political, economic, strategic and cultural values.
 While at the same time strive towards greater dialogue,
interactions and understanding with other actors on the
world stage.
CONT…
 Without this, OIC’s existence as an “ imagined
community”.
 Its role as a passive actor in international relations will
be ensured.
 Its relevance and ability to adequately respond to the
challenges of the 21st century will be a question.
THANKYOU!