Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “Islamic nations’ body calls ‘extraordinary’ meet as Israel readies Gaza invasion” which was published in the India Today. Recently, Saudi Arabia has called an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the violence in Gaza.

What is the OIC?

• It is a 57-member bloc of Muslim countries that claims to be the collective voice of the Muslim world.
• Establishment: In 1969 summit in Rabat (Morocco)
• Headquarters: Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
• Targets: To establish solidarity among member states, support restoration of complete Sovereignty and territorial integrity of any member state under occupation.
• Relations with other Organizations: The OIC has consultative and cooperative relations with the UN and other intergovernmental organizations to protect the interest of Muslims.
• Charter: It lays out its objectives, principles and operating mechanism.
  • It enshrines that all members be guided and inspired by the noble Islamic teachings and values alongside committing to the purposes and principles of the UN charter.
  • Adopted in 1972, and has been revised multiple times with emerging conditions.
  • The present charter was adopted in March 2008 at Dakar in Senegal. 
  • Expectations with Member States: To uphold and promote good governance, democracy, human rights, fundamental freedom and the rule of law settling disputes through peaceful means and refraining from the use of threat or force.
• Programme of Action (PoA): The OIC carves out a 10-year PoA. Last instituted for the decade ending 2025, it calls for measures to combat all aspects of terrorism globally.
  • It also talks of implementing social schemes to eliminate two-thirds of extreme poverty and spurring industrialisation, investment, trade and overall economic & social growth.

What are the functions of OIC?

• Supreme Authority: It includes Kings, Heads of State and the Governments of Member States.
• Meetings: Every two years and deliberates, takes policy decisions, provides guidance on issues relevant to the organization and considers issues of concern to the member states.
• Chief Decision-Making Body: The Council of Foreign Ministers and meets annually.
• Chief Administrative Officer: The Secretary General and for a period of five years.

Membership

• UN members with a Muslim majority can join it.
• The membership is to be ratified with full consensus at the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers.
• The same provisions apply for acquiring an observer status.

Decision-Making

• It requires a quorum of presence of two-thirds of the member states and complete consensus.
• In case a consensus cannot be reached, decisions shall be made by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.

What has been the nature of India’s relationship with the OIC?

• Even though India has good relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, its membership and engagement has been constantly challenged by Pakistan.
• In 1969, Pakistan’s opposition to Indian participation at the first OIC Plenary.
• In 2018, Bangladesh had proposed India be given the observer status at the OIC considering its sizable Muslim population, also received support from Turkey but was opposed by Pakistan.
  • As per experts, Pakistan fears that India’s involvement in the grouping could influence the opinion of other Muslim states.

Criticisms against the OIC Grouping

• Narrow Focus: Experts said that it had become a premise for ‘window dressing’, more interested in the rights of Muslim minorities than the human rights violations of its member states.
  • It is largely restricted to arbitrating in conflicts where both parties are Muslims as the organization is centered around Quranic values, making it a qualified arbitrator.
• Lack of Resource & Power: To investigate human rights violations or enforce its decisions through signed treaties and declarations.

Success of the OIC Grouping

• The according of observer status at the UN to the Palestine Liberation Organisation is considered among its major successes.

Also read: Why Arab Countries Don’t Want to Take in Palestinian Refugees from Gaza

Conclusion:

The OIC, as a collective voice of Muslim nations, faces challenges in its focus and effectiveness, with criticisms for narrow engagement and limited influence. However, it has achieved successes, notably in obtaining observer status for the Palestine Liberation Organisation at the UN.