The flag of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC; Arabic: منظمة المؤتمر الإسلامي; Turkish: İslam Konferansı Örgütü; Persian: سازمان کنفرانس اسلامی; French: Organisation de la Conférence Islamique; Malay: Persatuan Persidangan Islam; Indonesian: Organisasi Konferensi Islam) is an inter-governmental organization with a Permanent Delegation to the United Nations. It groups 57 mostly Islamic nations in the Middle East, North and West Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and South America. The OIC is dedicated to serving the interests of the world's estimated 1.4 billion Muslims.
The primary goals of the OIC are, according to itself, "to promote solidarity among all member states; to consolidate cooperation among member states in economic, social, cultural, scientific, and other fields of activity; to endeavor to eliminate racial segregation and discrimination and to oppose colonialism in all its forms; to support the Palestinian people in their struggle to regain their national rights and to return to their homeland; and, to support all Muslim people in their struggle to safeguard their dignity, independence and national rights."
The highest policy-making organ, attended by the Kings and the Heads of State and Government of the member states, convened every three years.
The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers
It meets once a year to examine a progress report on the implementation of its decisions taken within the framework of the policy defined by the Islamic Summit.
The Permanent Secretariat
It is the executive organ of the Organization, entrusted with the implementation of the decisions of the two preceding bodies, and is located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Current secretary is Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, from Turkey, since January 12005.
Standing Committees
*Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Committee. *Standing Committee on Information and Cultural Affairs (COMIAC). *Standing Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation (COMCEC). *Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH). *Islamic Committee for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs. *Permanent Finance Committee. *Financial Control Organ.
India is home to more than 135 million Muslims and believes that it should be granted full membership. India's candiature is backed by some Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia. However, other members of the OIC argue that even though India has the 3rd largest Muslim population in the world, it is a Hindu- majority secular republic. Another issue regarding India's induction is Pakistan. Pakistan has fought two wars with India over the region and claims the Muslim state of Kashmiroccupied by India, who administers the majority of the territory. Due to Pakistan's strong influence on OIC, many Muslim nations have abstained from inducting India into the organization. However, Pakistan is willing to grant India observer status if it resolves the Kashmir issue. However, OIC foreign policy states that all of Kashmir is part of Pakistan.
The Philippine government attempted to join the OIC, but was opposed by its Muslim minority of the state. [1]
