UPSC Current affairs - Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

Context:

  • In its responses to the diplomatic storm over the comments made by Political leaders, the government took a stern view of the statement by the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), but it subsequently made a special effort at ensuring that Indian Ambassadors based in every OIC country were briefed and sent “talking points” to deal with the situation.

About OIC:

  • With 57 member states, the OIC is the second largest international organisation after the United Nations.
  • It is the Muslim world’s unified voice.
  • In the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among all peoples, it strives to promote and protect the interests of the Muslim world.
  • Following an incident of arson at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by a 28-year-old Australian in 1969, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference was created by the First Islamic Summit Conference in Morocco in September 1969 to marshal the Islamic world.

Why is the organisation important to India?

  • India had been invited to the founding convention in Rabat in 1969 as the country with the world’s second biggest Muslim population, but was removed at Pakistan’s request.
  • India stayed out for a variety of reasons, including the fact that it did not want to join an organisation based on religion.
  • There was a concern that in a grouping, developing bilateral relations with individual member states would be put under pressure, particularly on matters like Kashmir.
  • Bangladesh, which hosted the 45th session of the Foreign Ministers’ Summit in 2018, proposed that India, which is home to more than 10% of the world’s Muslims, be granted Observer status, but Pakistan objected.
Way Forward:
  • Political Leaders must be aware of the consequences of the their actions, they must refrain over indulging in commenting on communal issues.

         Source The Hindu