Explained | What is the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation?

The 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which claims to be the “collective voice of the Muslim world”, triggered a war of words with India when it condemned derogatory comments by two BJP leaders on Prophet Muhammed and Islam. Among other things, the 57-nation grouping seeks to protect, defend and combat defamation of Islam globally, and to protect and secure the territorial sovereignty of member states under occupation.

The story so far: On June 5, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretariat “condemned and denounced” the comments on Prophet Muhammed made by two national spokespersons of the BJP. Referring to it as part of “growing spate of hatred and defamation of Islam in India”, it sought that the perpetrators are bought to justice and held accountable.

In response, spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi stated that India rejected the OIC Secretariat’s “unwarranted” and “narrow-minded” comments. He added that the views expressed by the two individuals did not reflect the views of the Indian government and relevant authorities had initiated strong actions against them. 

India’s association with the 57-nation grouping has not been easy. Even though the country has good relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, its membership and engagement has been constantly challenged by Pakistan. In 1969, Islamabad’s opposition to Indian participation at the first OIC Plenary resulted in the Indian delegation being turned back from the venue at the last minute.

Fifty years later, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed the OIC Plenary of Foreign Ministers in Abu Dhabi as a guest of honour. The invitation was extended by the UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Bangladesh, too, wanted India to be accorded the ‘observer’ status in 2006 — again opposed by Pakistan. 

Political analyst Ketan Mehta of the Observer Research Foundation wrote in 2019 that Islamabad’s apprehension stems from the fear that India’s involvement in the grouping could influence the opinion of other Muslim states — not boding well for its influence.

The OIC claims to be the “collective voice of the Muslim world”. It was established at a 1969 summit in Rabat (Morocco) after what it describes as the ‘criminal arson’ of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The OIC endeavours to establish solidarity among member states, support restoration of complete sovereignty and territorial integrity of any member state under occupation; protect, defend and combat defamation of Islam, prevent growing dissention in Muslim societies and work to ensure that member states take a united stand at the U. N. General Assembly, Human Rights Council and other international fora.

The OIC has consultative and cooperative relations with U. N. and other inter-governmental organisations to protect the interest of Muslims, and settle conflicts and disputes involving member states, among them being the territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the status of Jammu & Kashmir.