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About OICThe Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is the second largest inter-
governmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various peoples of the world.
The OIC was established pursuant a decision adopted by the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on 12th Rajab 1389 AH/ 25 September 1969 AD, following the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. In 1970, the first ever meeting of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Minister (ICFM) was held in Jeddah. It adopted the decision to establish a permanent secretariat in Jeddah headed by the secretary general. Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is the 9th Secretary General who assumed office in January 2005 after being elected by the 31st ICFM Session.
The first OIC Charter was adopted by the 3rd ICFM Session held in 1972. The original Charter was amended to keep pace with the developments that have unraveled recently across the world. The 11th Islamic Summit held in Dakar in March 2008 endorsed the new Charter, which laid down the objectives and principles of the organization and fundamental purposes to strengthen the principles of solidarity and cooperation among the Member States. Over the last 40 years, the OIC membership has grown from its founding members of 25 to 57 states.
The OIC has the singular honor of galvanizing the Ummah into a unified voice and representing Muslims by espousing all causes close to the hearts of over 1.5 billion Muslims in the world.
The Member States of the OIC face many challenges in the 21st century. To address these challenges, the 3rd Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit held in Makkah in December 2005, laid down a blue print called the Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA) which envisages joint action by the Member States, promotion of tolerance and moderation, modernization, extensive reforms in all spheres of activities including science and technology, education, and development of trade. It also emphasizes good governance and the promotion of human rights in the Muslim world, especially with regard to the children’s and women’s rights as well as family values enshrined in Islamic Shariah (Law).
For more details, visit the OIC website at URL www.oic-oci.org Tel: 02-6515222 Fax 02-6512288
P.O. Box 178. Jeddah 21411 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
منظمة املؤؤمتر الإسسالمي
ي الذكرى األربعين لتأسيسهاف
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC40th Anniversary
General SecretariatInformation Department
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Table of Contents
■ Foreword by OIC Secretary General, Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu
■ Preface
- Chapter I : OIC organs
• Islamic Summit
• Ordinary Sessions
• Extraordinary Sessions
• Council of Foreign Ministers
• Ordinary Meetings
• Extraordinary Sessions
• Sectoral ministerial meetings
• Standing Committees
• Executive Committee
• Permanent Representatives Committee
• International Islamic Court of Justice
• Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission
• General Secretariat
• Secretary General
• Assistant Secretaries-General
• Departments at the General Secretariat
• OIC Organs and Institutions
• Subsidiary organs
• Specialized institutions
• Affiliated institutions
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- Chapter II : OIC itinerary
1 - OIC role in promoting Islamic unity
2- Reform process
* Ten-Year Program of Action
* Charter
3- OIC External Relations
* United Nations
* European Union
* League of Arab States
* African Union
* Gulf Cooperation Council
Chapter III : Publications
* Islamophobia Report
* OIC Journal
* Weekly Newsletter
* Daily News Monitoring Brief
* Website
* Other publications
Chapter IV : OIC Headquarters
Chapter V : Member States
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
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OIC Secretary GeneralProfessor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu
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Foreword by OIC Secretary GeneralProfessor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu
7
Forty years ago, twenty-five states from the
Muslim world agreed to set up a framework for
collective cooperation to serve common causes.
Over time, this togetherness evolved into the 57-
member Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC).
On this 40th anniversary of the OIC creation, I
feel privileged, in my capacity as the OIC Secretary
General, to share with the readers of this book
some of my views, observations and impressions
about the OIC and my thoughts as to its future
prospects.
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already taken strong hold in the political discourse and popular consciousness of Westerners, resulting in an erroneous impression depicting Islam as an enemy.
We believe that the rise in tone and frequency of such a negative and offensive discourse does not bode well for the future of the two sides as well as for the future of humanity as a whole. Faced with this stark and regrettable reality, we made it our duty to defend the true image of Islam.
To correct this perception, we were very active on different fronts. We approached the UN Human Rights Council and UN-related institutions in Geneva; we brought our case to the UN General Assembly where we managed to pass several resolutions over the last few years that deplored acts of discrimination and intolerance instigating hatred of religions. We called, on every occasion, for wider cooperation to put an end to this sort of incitement. We responded firmly to the instigators of fanaticism and hatred against Islam as it happened in the case of the Danish offensive cartoons, or the Dutch film ‘Fitna’. We have engaged with Western scholars, think-tanks and relevant fora in Europe and in the US and evoked the need to implement the international covenants and legal instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in an attempt to put an end to this negative trend.
Today, we are still pursuing our endeavor of dialogue among civilizations, which we initiated at the level of the United Nations since 1998. We are determined to continue our efforts to preserve, carry and reflect the true image of Islam to the world as a religion of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and moderation, calling for the respect of human dignity and human rights and advocating harmony and concord.
The encouraging remarks recently conveyed by U.S. President Barrack Obama about Islam and his promises to start a new course of engagement and cooperation with the Muslim world on the basis of mutual interest and reciprocal respect are indeed very heartening and promising. The good example set by Ireland on July 10, 2009, through passing a Defamation (of religion) Bill that bans publishing or uttering blasphemous matter, is very welcomed as it sets an example of the need for such a law to ensure harmony, peace and concord among fellow human beings regardless of their religion, race, language or ethnic origin.
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In this vein, I have repeatedly called for a historic reconciliation between Islam and Christianity, as was the case between Judaism and Christianity in the last century. I think that what brings the followers of all religions together outweighs what separates them. This is all the more true when it comes to the West and Islam, given the commonalities that link them at the level of spirituality, intellectual heritage, geographical proximity and economic interests. I believe that all humanity is duty-bound to focus on the commonalities that flow in all religions and cultures, in a bid to safeguard humanity to ensure peaceful coexistence, and to preserve the world and its resources for our future generations.
As part of the reform process, a number of new subjects have been included in the OIC’s agenda, some addressing emerging needs and concerns, others aiming at modernizing the existing practices by introducing methods newly developed in international policy or previously not used in the OIC framework.
Within its new vision, the OIC has accelerated its momentum by redefining and reaffirming its objectives in view of the 21st century, modernizing and optimizing its operations for more efficiency. It is indeed no mere coincidence that a comprehensive OIC reform and renewal is taking place concurrently with the reform process of the UN.
The Organization is presently, and increasingly, assuming its position in the world scene as the voice of the Muslim world. A remarkable indication of this development is that many countries are approaching the OIC to acquire observer status or to establish special relations with it. Presently four OIC member states are non-permanent members of the UN Security Council and three OIC member states are members in the G-20.
Some crucial challenges that the OIC will be facing in the coming period are the completion of the institutional and legal bases within the OIC in the field of human rights in order to ensure abidance by and promotion of human rights principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to create institutional capacity in preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution and peace keeping. Within the reform process of the OIC, both the TYPOA and the new Charter stipulate these two areas among the OIC priorities. Intergovernmental deliberations were initiated on both areas in 2009.
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Naturally, establishing a permanent and independent human rights commission and increasing as well as institutionalizing capacity in preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution and peace keeping would be important and tangible results of the reform process and would certainly further boost the visibility and credibility of the OIC in the international arena.
Thanks to its General Secretariat and its subsidiary and specialized organs, in cooperation with the Member States, the OIC will continue its efforts in all spheres with dedication and determination. It is our sincere hope that with the drive and impetus given by the on-going reform and development process, the 40th Anniversary of the OIC will mark a real turning point in the history of the Organization.
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Preface
On 21st August 1969, the infamous Israeli
extremist Michael Dennis Rohan set fire to the
holy Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first of the two Muslim
Qiblas and the third Muslim Holy Shrine. This
horrendous criminal arson caused untold outrage
amid Muslims across the world. Until today, the
resonance of this abominable act continues to
reverberate loudly. Concerns over the fate of the
City of Al-Quds have grown even more acute
following the recent dangerous aggression it has
sustained as Israeli occupation authorities undertake
large-scale excavations near Al-Aqsa Mosque and
Al-Haram Al-Sharif [noble sanctuary], threatening
the very foundations of the Mosque itself.
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Since Israel laid its occupation hand on the eastern section of the city of Al-Quds in the aftermath of the 1967 war, Muslim leaders redoubled their efforts to face up the developments unraveling in Palestine. Many thought that time had come to set up an entity that would put together the fragmented Islamic Ummah after the abolition of the Islamic caliphate, which provided an umbrella under whose banner all Islamic peoples lived. The result was an increasing eagerness to revive the bonds of Islamic solidarity(1). In fact, between the years 1965 and 1966 King Faisal floated initiatives to reunite Islamic countries. Truly, the Al-Aqsa Mosque arson was the spark that ignited passions and provided the driving force to create a solidarity and unionist framework likely to empower the Muslim Ummah to defend its interests and sanctities. It also helped achieve the goal of the Ummah that was embraced and sponsored by King Faisal.
The sincere efforts deployed by both King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, King of Saudi Arabia, and King Hassan II of the Kingdom of Morocco played a major role in bringing together the leaders and representatives of twenty-five Islamic states in Rabat, capital of Morocco, from 22 to 25 September 1969 at the first Islamic summit, which marks the actual start of the establishment of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
The leaders of the Muslim world announced at their first summit the need to restore the City of Al-Quds in its pre-June 1967 status and to safeguard its spiritual character. A meeting of the foreign ministers of Muslim countries followed in March 1970 in Jeddah. During that meeting, a decision was made to
1- It should be noted that, following the abolition of the Islamic caliphate, some of the Ummah’s leaders and scholars sought to work out practical alternatives to fill the vacuum left by the absence of the caliphate umbrella. Most prominent among these attempts in terms of intellectual innovation was the project floated by Sanhouri Abdul Razzaq (d. 1971) suggesting the establishment of an institution that would provide a framework for Islamic solidarity. The project was laid out in his Ph.D. thesis entitled “Caliphate Jurisprudence and Evolution towards an Oriental United Nations” written in the aftermath of the abolition of the Caliphate (1926). Another attempt was the Cairo Conference held in 1926 with the support of King Fuad I and Al-Azhar University and with the presence of delegates from 13 countries. There have been subsequent calls for creating an institution that would bring together Muslims and express their solidarity. A number of conferences have been organized in different parts of the Islamic world, most notably the meeting held under the auspices of King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud in Makkah. The meeting, held in Dhu al-Hijja 1344 AH/June 1926 AD was attended by Muslim leaders within the framework of what was then known as ‘World Muslim Congress’ which agreed to hold annual meetings during the Hajj season.
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establish a general secretariat to follow up on the decisions taken in Rabat and to elect a Secretary General to oversee these issues. In 1972, the OIC Charter was adopted, defining the Organization’s objectives and entrusting it with the duty of defending the causes of the Muslim world.
The current Secretary General, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, is the ninth OIC Secretary General. He took office in January 2005 after his election by the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers at its 31st Session held in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey, from 14-16 June 2004. Ihsanoglu is, in fact, the first OIC Secretary General to be elected through a democratic process and voted to office among several other candidates.
The Late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz - attending the 1st Islamic Summit - Rabat – Morocco (September 1969) (Televised photo)
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In 2005, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, called for an extraordinary summit to be held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah to address the challenges facing Muslims in the 21st century. The Summit adopted the Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA), which constituted a launch-pad for a new vision capable of keeping pace with the rapidly unfolding changes in the world today. The TYPOA stipulated the importance of amending the OIC Charter to bring it in line with the requirements and exigencies of the times. Indeed, the 11th Islamic Summit held in Dakar, capital of Senegal, over 13 and 14 March 2008, adopted the new OIC Charter. Work is still ongoing to bring to completion the implementation of the clauses enshrined in the TYPOA, which represents a major watershed in the history of the OIC.
Today, the OIC having rounded up its fortieth year of existence and having been endowed with an amended Charter and a clear-vision developmental Ten-year Programme of Action, covering all aspects of life and catering to the individual and collective requirements of the OIC Member States, it now looks forward to the future in confidence about its aptitude to assume the mission invested in
The Late King Hassan II - chairing the 1st Islamic Summit - Rabat – Morocco(September 1969) (Televised photo)
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Chapter IOIC Organs
- Chapter I : OIC organs
- Islamic Summit : Ordinary & Extraordinary Sessions
- Council of Foreign Ministers
- Ordinary Meetings
- Extraordinary Sessions
- Sectoral ministerial meetings
- Standing Committees
- Executive Committee
- International Islamic Court of Justice
- Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission
- Permanent Representatives Committee
- General Secretariat
- Secretary General
- Assistant Secretaries-General
- Departments at the General Secretariat
- OIC Organs and Institutions
- Subsidiary organs
- Specialized institutions
- Affiliated institutions
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it, particularly as the General Secretariat has been through a series of in-house reforms over the past few years, making the OIC neatly qualified to represent the Muslim world and defend the interests of Islam and Muslims.
The OIC is composed of the following bodies:
1. The Islamic Summit
The Islamic Summit is the OIC supreme authority. It is composed of Kings
and Heads of State and Government of the Member States. It convenes once
every three years to deliberate, take policy decisions and provide guidance on all
issues pertaining to the realization of the objectives inscribed in the Charter.
The Summit also holds extraordinary sessions as needed in keeping with the
interests of the Ummah and with the aim of exploring issues of vital importance
to the Ummah.
So far, eleven ordinary Islamic summits have been held, as follows:
First Summit
The First Islamic Summit was held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, from 22
to 25 September 1969. This First summit focused on examining the possibility of
establishing a general secretariat for coordination and follow-up.
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The Late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz
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The Late King Hassan II
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The OIC is an intergovernmental organization set to enhance the bonds of solidarity and cooperation among its Member States, coordinate their endeavors in the political, economic and cultural fields. After four decades of existence, the OIC now constitutes an institutional entity that channels the voice of its Member States. It is equally a framework that streamlines a significant part of the member States’ external relations.
The OIC is the second largest organization of the world after the United Nations. It is the voice and representative of 1.5 billion Muslims geographically spread over various regions of the world.
I like to recall here that before assuming office in 2005 as the OIC Secretary General, I had been associated with this Organization for almost 25 years, in my capacity as Director General of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), a subsidiary organ of the OIC. Having been part of the journey of the OIC for over a quarter of a century, my earnest hope and ambition is to see this Organization reformed, overhauled and placed on a solid and fast track to serve as an engine for progress and prosperity in the Muslim Ummah [nation].
In this context, I like to point out that the Third OIC Extraordinary Summit called for by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, was held in December 2005 and was a milestone that constituted a decisive turning point in the contemporary history of the Muslim world. The Summit adopted a Ten-Year Programme of Action (TYPOA), which as a blueprint of transformation, deals with all domains needed to be reformed individually and collectively within the OIC system. It also drew up guidelines for joint Islamic action undertaken in all fields of development and international relations. While Islamic solidarity is the traditional and spiritual bond that unites the Ummah, new material links and pledges were introduced by the TYPOA to ensure joint action that will engage further concrete cooperation among its governments and peoples. These links cover an all-encompassing set of programmes dealing with political, cultural, socio-economic, and scientific domains, among others, which, when enforced, will set the Muslim world firmly down the path of progress, strength and prosperity.
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The TYPOA defines a set of priorities and ways of how to achieve them over the next decade, with the aim of bringing development and prosperity to the Muslim world, strengthening its position in global politics and economy to be commensurate with its real demographic, geographic, and economic potentials. It has provided a framework for a prioritized economic programme. It also brings a participatory process, time-bound and measurable goals and objectives. One of its top priorities was to amend the Charter of the OIC in light of present-day requirements relating to the Muslim world and to the global environment.
Since I assumed my duties at the beginning of 2005, and particularly since March 2008 under the new vision of the new OIC Charter, I have tried to direct the OIC towards a two-pronged direction resting on the principles of moderation and modernization. In this, the OIC stands firm in rejecting and condemning all forms of fanaticism, extremism, terrorism and bigotry. It emphasizes inter-civilizational and interfaith dialogue based on mutual respect. The new Charter of the OIC also defends the respect of human rights, including the establishment of an Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights, and endeavors to promote good governance, to widen political participation, to reinforce respect of the rule of law, and to ensure transparency and accountability, while combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and rejecting all attempts to justify this scourge. A great deal of the efforts of the OIC is now directed towards human development in the socio-economic spheres through concrete and practical programmes, including poverty alleviation, education, science and technology, combating diseases, humanitarian assistance in case of disasters, and providing equal status to women in society.
All of the above focused on the OIC home front. Now, externally, the OIC General Secretariat engaged another challenging task with the outside world in a bid to maintain our dialogue with our counterparts, explaining the Muslim world’s concerns and stands, correcting fallacious perceptions about Islam and Muslims, as well as defending our just causes.
The biggest concern for us, however, was and still is the rise of the phenomenon of Islamophobia in the West. Although the prophecies of the so-called ‘clash of civilizations’ did not materialize in the real world, this thesis has
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Second Summit
The Second Summit was held in Lahore, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, from
22 to 24 February 1974. This summit accorded special importance to the issue of
economic cooperation among Muslim countries.
Third Summit
The third summit was held in Makkah Al-Mukaramah and Taif, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, from 25 to 28 January 1981. This summit approved an action plan
for economic cooperation and established a number of standing committees.
The Late King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz addressing the summit(January 1981) (Televised photo)
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Morocco’s late King Hassan II addressing the SummitOn the dais, Prince Fahd then Crown Prince, Prince Saud al-Faisal, Foreign Minister, and
former OIC Secretary General Habib Chatty (January 1981) (Televised photo)
Fourth Summit
The fourth summit was held in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco, from 16
to 19 January 1984. This summit dwelt on issues of development in the Muslim
world, particularly in the domain of infrastructure.
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Fifth Summit
The fifth summit was held in Kuwait under the title 'Session of the
Islamic Solidarity' from 26-29 January 1987. The summit discussed the latest
developments across the Muslim world, notably the issues of Palestine, the Iraq-
Iran war, Afghanistan and Kashmir.
Emir of Kuwait, the late Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah and H.H. Incumbent Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad(January 1987) (Televised photo)
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Sixth Summit
The sixth summit was held in Dakar, capital of Senegal under the title
'Session of Al-Quds, Harmony and Unity' from 9 to 11 December 1991.
Former Senegalese President Abdou Diouf, President of the Summit and former OIC Secretary General Hamid Algabid. (December 1991) (Televised photo)
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Seventh Summit
The seventh summit was held in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco, under
the title 'Session of Fraternity and Revival' from 13 to 15 December 1994.
The late Moroccan King Hassan II chairing the Summit (January 1994) (Televised photo)
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Eighth Summit
The eighth summit was held in Tehran, capital of the Islamic Republic of
Iran, under the title 'Session of Dignity, Dialogue, Participation' from 9 to 11
December 1997.
Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, Summit Chairman(December 1997) (Televised photo)
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Summit Chairman, Sheikh Hamad, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and former OICSecretary General Azzeddine Laraki (November 2000) (Televised photo)
Ninth Summit
The ninth summit was held in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, under
the title 'Session of Peace and Development "Al-Aqsa Intifada" ' over 12 and 13
November 2000.
The late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat addressing the Summit(November 2000) (Televised photo)
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Tenth Summit
The tenth summit was held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, under the title 'Session of
Knowledge and Morality for the Progress of the Ummah' on 16 -17 October, 2003.
Summit Chairman, former Malaysian PM Dr. Mahathir Mohammad(October 2003) (Televised photo)
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Summit Chairman, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and the OIC Secretary General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu at the opening of the Summit (March 2008)
Eleventh Summit
The eleventh summit was held in Dakar, capital of Senegal, under the title
'Session of the Muslim Ummah in the 21st Century’ over 13 and 14 March 2008.
This Summit adopted the new OIC Charter.
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Signature of reconciliation agreement between Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and his counterpart Chadian President Idriss Deby in Dakar during the summit (March 2008)
The Secretary General Ihsanoglu addressing the Dakar summit. (March 2008)
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Extraordinary Summits
First Extraordinary Summit
The first extraordinary summit was held in Islamabad, capital of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, on 23 March 1979, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
Second Extraordinary Summit
The second extraordinary summit was held in Doha, capital of the State of
Qatar, on Wednesday, 5 March 2003, to discuss the issue of threats against Iraq.
Third Extraordinary Summit
The third extraordinary summit was held on an invitation of Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, in Makkah Al-Mukarramah,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, over 7 and 8 December 2005. The Summit adopted
the Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA), which seeks to reform the OIC and
upgrade its working tools and performance in order to keep pace with unfolding
developments. The TYPOA also aims at empowering the Muslim Ummah to live
up to the new challenges of the 21st century.
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Leaders of the Muslim world participating in the Third Extraordinary Islamic Summit in Makkah Al-Mukarramah (7 -8 December 2005)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, and OIC Secretary General Ihsanoglu at the opening of the Summit (Makkah- December 2005)
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2. Council of Foreign Ministers The Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) examines the ways and means
of implementing the general policy of the OIC and adopts the decisions and
recommendations on issues of common concern. The CFM adopts the programs
and budgets of the General Secretariat and the OIC subsidiary organs. It also
elects the Secretary General and appoints assistant secretaries-general. Since the
founding of the OIC, the CFM has held thirty-six session meetings, as follows:
First Session: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 1970
Second Session: Karachi, Pakistan, December 1970
Third Session: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, February - March 1972
Fourth Session: Benghazi, Libya, March 1973
Fifth Session: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 1974
Sixth Session: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 1975
Seventh Session: Istanbul, Turkey, May 1976
Eighth Session: Tripoli, Libya, May 1977
Ninth Session : Dakar, Senegal, April 1978
Tenth Session: Fes, Morocco, March 1979
Eleventh Session: Islamabad, Pakistan, May 1980
Twelfth Session: Baghdad, Iraq, June 1981
Thirteenth Session: Niamey, Niger, August 1982
Fourteenth Session : Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 1983
Fifteenth Session : Sana’a, Yemen, December 1984
Sixteenth Session: Fez, Morocco, January 1986
Seventeenth Session: Amman, Jordan, March 1988
Eighteenth Session: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 1989
Nineteenth Session: Cairo, Egypt, July-August 1990
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Twentieth Session: Istanbul, Turkey, August 1991
Twenty-first Session : Karachi, Pakistan, April 1993
Twenty-second Session : Casablanca, Morocco, December 1994
Twenty-third Session : Conakry, Guinea, December 1995
Twenty-fourth Session: Jakarta, Indonesia, December 1996
Twenty-fifth Session: Doha, Qatar, March 1998
Twenty-sixth Session: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, June-July 1999
Twenty-seventh Session: Bamako, Mali, June 2001
Twenty-eighth Session: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 2000
Twenty-ninth Session: Khartoum, Sudan, June 2002
Thirtieth Session: Tehran, Iran, May 2003
Thirty-first Session: Istanbul, Turkey, June 2004
Thirty-second Session: Sana’a, Yemen, June 2005
Thirty-third Session: Baku, Azerbaijan, June 2006
Thirty-fourth Session: Islamabad, Pakistan, May 2007
Thirty-fifth Session: Kampala, Uganda, June 2008
Thirty-sixth Session: Damascus, Syria, May-June 2009
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Extraordinary CFM Sessions The CFM has held several extraordinary sessions, as follows:
- Islamabad, Pakistan, January 1980, to discuss the issue of Soviet
intervention in Afghanistan
- Amman, Jordan, July 1980, to discuss developments in Palestine and Al-
Quds
- Fes, Kingdom of Morocco, September 1980, to discuss developments in
Palestine and Al-Quds
- Istanbul, Turkey, July 1992
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, December 1992
- Islamabad, Pakistan, September 1994
- Doha, Qatar, May 2001
- Doha, Qatar, October 2001
- Doha, Qatar, December 2001
- Putrajaya, Malaysia, April 2002
CFM Annual Coordination Meetings Once a year, a CFM coordination meeting is held in New York on the
sidelines of the Ordinary Session of the UN General Assembly. The meeting is
devoted to the discussion of issues of concern for the Muslim world that are
included in the agenda of the General Assembly. The meeting also contributes to
coordinating positions of the OIC Member States vis-à-vis these issues. It also
explores a number of issues of ongoing concern, such as the dossier of Al-Quds
City, Palestine, Iraq, Kashmir, Somalia and Sierra Leone.
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Sectoral Ministerial Meetings
Information Ministers Conference Sessions
The first session of the Islamic Conference of Information Ministers was
held in Jeddah in October 1988 in pursuance of the resolution adopted by the
Fifth Islamic Summit held in Kuwait in 1987. So far, eight sessions of the Islamic
Conference of Information Ministers have been held, as follows:
First Session: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,
11-12 October 1988
Second Session: Cairo, Egypt,
26 - 27 January 1991
Third Session: Damascus, Syria,
24 - 25 May 1995
Fourth Session: Dakar, Senegal,
29 - 30 November 1997
Fifth Session: Tehran, Iran,
1 -2 December 1999
Sixth Session: Cairo, Egypt,
10 - 11 March 2003
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Seventh Session: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,
13 - 14 September 2006
Eighth Session: Rabat, Morocco,
27 -28 January 2009
Ministers of Culture Conference Sessions
Until today, six Sessions of the Islamic Conference of the Ministers of
Culture have been held, as follows:
First Session: Dakar, Senegal,
25 to 26 January 1989
Second Session: Rabat, Morocco,
12 to 14 November 1998
Third Session: Doha, Qatar,
29 to 31 December 2001
Fourth Session: Algiers, Algeria,
15 to 16 December 2004
Fifth Session: Tripoli, Libya,
21-23 November 2007
Sixth Session: Baku, Azerbaijan,
13-15 October 2009
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Ministers of Education and Scientific Research Conference Sessions
So far, four sessions of the Islamic Conference of the Ministers of Education
and Scientific Research have been held. The first Session was held in Riyadh,
capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 15 to 18 October 2000. Three
sessions followed, one of which was held in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, from 6
to 9 September 2003, while the third session was hosted by Kuwait City between
19 and 21 November 2006. The fourth and latest session was held from 6 to 8
October 2008 in Baku, capital of Azerbaijani.
Ministers of Tourism Conference Sessions
Six sessions of the Islamic Conference of the Ministers of Tourism have been
held so far, the latest being held in the Syrian capital, Damascus, from 1st to 3rd July
2008.
The first session was held in the city of Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran,
from 3rd to 4th October 2000. The second was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
from 12 to 13 October 2001. A third one followed in the Saudi capital, Riyadh,
from 7 to 9 October 2003. The fourth session was held in Dakar, capital of
Senegal, from 29 to 30 March 2005, and, over the period from 9 to 12 September
2006, the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, hosted the fifth one.
Conference Sessions of the Ministers in charge of Women's Affairs
Two sessions on women and their role in the development of Muslim societies
have been held. The first one was held in Istanbul, Turkey, over 21 and 22 November
2006. The second was held in Cairo, capital of Egypt, over 24 and 25 November 2008.
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Conference Sessions of the Ministers in charge of Children
Two sessions of the Islamic Conference of the Ministers in charge of
Children have been held so far, the first of which was held in Rabat, capital of
the Kingdom of Morocco, from 7 to 9 November 2005, while the second one was
held in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, from 1st to 3rd February 2009.
Conference Sessions of the Ministers of Health
So far, two sessions of the Islamic Conference of the Ministers of Health have
been held, the first of which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between 12 and 15
June 2007, and the second in the Iranian capital, Tehran, from 1st to 4th March 2009.
Conference Sessions of Environment Ministers
So far, three sessions of the Islamic Conference of Environment Ministers in
the OIC Member States have been held. The first and second sessions were both
held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 10 to 12 June 2002, and from 13
to 15 December 2006, respectively. The latest session was held in Rabat, capital
of the Kingdom of Morocco, over 29 and 30 October, 2008.
Conference Sessions of the Ministers in charge of Water
The First Islamic Conference of the OIC Ministers in charge of Water was
held on the sidelines of the 5th World Water Forum hosted in Istanbul, Turkey, on
20 March 2009.
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3 - Standing Committees
The OIC has set up the following standing committees to address issues of
paramount importance for the Organization and its Member States.
Al-Quds Committee
Al-Quds Committee was established pursuant to a resolution adopted by the
6th CFM held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 12-15 July 1975. The Committee is
chaired by the King of Morocco. It is seated in Rabat, capital of Morocco, and its
membership includes sixteen countries.
The Committee aims to follow up on the implementation of the resolutions
adopted by the Islamic Summit pertaining to Al-Quds and Palestine. An offshoot
agency called 'Bayt Mal al-Quds ' [Al-Quds Fund] was created to offer assistance
to the Palestinian population and institutions in the holy city of Al-Quds and to
help preserve Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Standing Committee for Information and Cultural Affairs (COMIAC)
The COMIAC was established pursuant to a resolution adopted by the 3rd
Islamic Summit Conference held concurrently in Makkah Al-Mukaramah and
Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in January 1981. The COMIAC seeks to enhance
the role of information and culture in the Muslim world, develop information
technology, and bridge the digital gap in the OIC Member States. It also strives
to sensitize international public opinion to the causes of the Islamic Ummah. The
COMIAC, based in Dakar, capital of Senegal, is chaired by the President of the
Republic of Senegal.
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Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC)
The COMCEC was established pursuant to a resolution adopted by the 3rd
Islamic Summit held concurrently in Makkah Al-Mukarammah and Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in January 1981. This Committee coordinates joint Islamic action in the fields of economy and trade and builds the proper infrastructure for such work through the articulation of programs, agreements, and treaties that serve this purpose. The COMCEC, chaired by the President of Turkey, follows up on the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the Islamic Conference in the economic, commercial fields. (See URL www.comcec.org )
Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH)
The COMSTECH was established in January 1981 pursuant to a
resolution adopted by the 3rd Islamic Summit Conference held concurrently in Makkah Al-Mukarammah and Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This Committee is concerned with the scientific and technological fields, as well as developing scientific and technological research in the OIC Member States by putting together scientific and technological programs and studies. The COMSTECH is chaired by the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and is based in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan. (See URL www.comstech.org )
4 - Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is composed of the incumbent, the former and the next Islamic Summit Chairmen (Troika) along with the incumbent, former and the next Chairmen of the CFM as well as the General Secretariat's host country (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and the Secretary General, who is an ex officio member.
The Committee meets, if and when necessary, to discuss the latest developments and emergency issues arising in between ministerial sessions. Since its inception in 2005, the Executive Committee has held eight meetings.
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5 - Permanent Representatives Committee
This Committee is composed of the Member countries’ representatives accredited to the OIC. The CFM defines the functions of this committee.
6 - International Islamic Court of Justice (IICJ)
The IICJ was established pursuant to a resolution adopted by the 5th Islamic Summit held in Kuwait in 1987 for it to form the key OIC judicial organ as of the date of entry in force of its Statute.
7 - Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights
The establishment of the Commission on Human Rights was announced pursuant to a resolution adopted by the 3rd Extraordinary Islamic Summit held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in 2005, as part of TYPOA clauses. The objective of the commission is to promote civil, political, social, and economic rights included in the OIC covenants and announcements as well as in universal human rights covenants in line with Islamic values.
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8 – The General Secretariat
The General Secretariat is the chief OIC administrative body. It is the executive organ of the OIC. The Secretary General is invested with the following responsibilities:
• Follows up on the implementation of resolutions and recommendations adopted by summits, CFMs and other ministerial meetings.
• Draws up working papers and explanatory memos pursuant to the resolutions adopted by the Summits and the CFMs, in addition to the activity budget program and budget of the General Secretariat.
• Submits annual reports to the CFM on the work of the OIC. He draws the
attention of the OIC organs to issues he deems useful or otherwise to
the objectives of the Organization.
• Carries out other tasks entrusted to him by the Summit or the CFM.
• Submits nominations of the Assistant Secretaries-General for five-years.
• Appoints staff at the General Secretariat from among nationals of the OIC
Member States on the basis of professional competence, integrity, gender
equality and equitable geographical distribution. The Secretary General
is also entitled to appoint experts and consultants on a temporary basis.
• The Secretary General may appoint special representatives in line with the
resolutions adopted by the Islamic Summit and the CFM upon approval
by the CFM. The General Secretariat may also establish subsidiary
organs or specialized institutions following approval by the CFM.
• The Secretary General is elected by the CFM for a term of five years,
renewable once.
The post of OIC Secretary General has been held by the following
personalities:
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Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia (1970-1973)
He was born in 1903 in Alor Star, Malaysia. He is the son of the Sultan of
the state of Kedah in northwest Malaysia. He pursued his studies in Malaysia,
Thailand and England.
The first OIC Secretary General, Tunku Abdul Rahman, with General Secretariat staff
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He is the founder and first Chief Minister of Malaya Peninsula (1957-
1963). He also served as Prime Minister of Malaysia between 1963 and 1970.
He was the first to assume the post of OIC Secretary General in 1970, and
continued in that position until 1973. He died in 1990
Hassan Al-Touhami, Egypt (1974 - 1975)
He was born on 26 April 1924 in Egypt. He graduated from the Military Academy
in 1942 and became infantry officer. He took part in the Palestinian war in 1948.
In March 1973, Al-Touhami was named OIC Secretary General and held that
position until December 1975.
He had been appointed as political adviser to the President of the Republic
of Egypt in 1969. He then became Secretary General of the Presidency of the
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Republic. He also served as adviser for religious affairs with the grade of deputy
prime minister. He died in 2009.
Amadou Karim Gaye, Senegal (1976 - 1979)
A politician having held several ministerial positions in Senegal, Gaye was
born on 8 November 1913 in the city of St. Louis, then capital of Senegal.
He held several ministerial posts, namely in the Ministry of National
Education, the Ministry of Planning, and the Ministry of Economic Development
and Technical Cooperation. Between June 1968 and June 1972, he served as
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal. After that, he chaired the Economic and
Social Council from June 1972 until November 1975.
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He was appointed OIC Secretary General in 1975 and held that position until
January 1980. He died in 2000.
Habib Chatty, Tunisia (1980 - 1984)
A man of politics, he was born in the city of M’saken in Tunisia on August 9, 1916. He worked in journalism starting in 1937, and contributed to the national struggle against French colonialism.
He took on the administration of the Prime Minister Office and was named in 1955 as Director of Information in the first Tunisian Ministry to be set up post-independence. He worked as Tunisian Ambassador to several countries. In the early 1970s he was entrusted with the responsibility of managing President
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Habib Bourguiba's Court. In January 1974, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, and remained in office until January 1977.
Chatty was selected in October 1979 to hold the position of OIC Secretary General and remained in office until 1984. He died in 1991.
Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, Pakistan (1985 - 1988)
Born in June 1923, Pirzada is a Pakistani lawmaker.
He was educated at Bombay University in India in 1945. He held several
functions in the field of legal consultancy in his own country and abroad. He also
served as Foreign Minister of Pakistan. He was selected to fill the position of OIC
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Secretary General between 1985 and 1988. He was one of the members of the
Panel of Eminent Jurists tasked in 2007 to review the OIC Charter.
Hamid Algabid, Niger (1989 - 1996)
Algabid was born in 1941 in Niger and earned a Ph.D. from the Sorbonne
University, France, in 1988.
He held several ministerial posts in his country. He was Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Trade and Finance. He became Prime Minister
between 1983 and 1988.
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Prof. Ihsanoglu and Dr. Hamid Algabid (April 2006)
He was appointed Secretary General of the OIC between 1989 to 1996. He contributed to the work conducted by the high-level committee that formulated the new Charter in 2006-2007.
Azzedine Laraki, Morocco (1997 - 2000)Dr. Azzeddine Laraki was born in 1929 in the city of Fes, Kingdom of
Morocco. He enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine in Paris from which he obtained a doctorate in 1957. He held a chair at the Faculty of Medicine in Rabat.
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Dr. Laraki engaged in politics by joining in 1942 in the Istiqlal [Independence]
Party. He became Prime Minister in 1986 after holding the position of Minister
of Education. In 1996, he was appointed OIC Secretary General, a post he held
until 2000.
Dr. Azzeddine Laraki has published several scientific and literary research works.
He was a member of many national and foreign scientific associations. He died in 2010.
Abdelouahed Belkeziz, Morocco (2001 - 2004)
Belkeziz was born on 5 July 1939 in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco. He
worked in the academic and diplomatic fields.
After obtaining a Ph.D. in Law from the Faculty of Law in Rennes, France,
he was appointed in 1977 as Moroccan ambassador in Baghdad, then Minister of
Information, and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs over 1983 and 1985.
He served as Dean of Mohammed V University in Rabat. In 2000, he was
selected to serve as OIC Secretary General until the end of December 2004.
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Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Turkey (2005 -2013)
Ihsanoglu is a Turkish scholar and diplomat. He was born in Cairo in 1943.
He received his Bsc. in 1966 from the University of Ain-Shams, and a Master's
Degree in chemistry from the University of Al-Azhar in 1970. In 1974, he earned
a Ph.D. Degree from the University of Ankara, Turkey. In the period from 1975 to
1977, he was a visiting professor at the University of Exeter in the UK.
Ihsanoglu held the general directorship of the Research Centre for Islamic
History, Culture and Arts (IRCICA) in Istanbul, an OIC subsidiary organ from
1980 to 2004. He served as a faculty member in several faculties of science and
then became the first professor and founding Head of the Department of History
of Science of Istanbul University. He is also the founding Chairman of the Turkish
Society for History of Science (TBTK) and ISAR Foundation. He further served
as President of the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science
(IUHPS) between 2001 and 2005. He is a member of various international societies,
scientific councils, advisory boards of numerous international academies, centers
and institutes, and editorial boards of many international journals.
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Incumbent OIC Secretary General, Prof. Ihsanoglu (far right), along with four former Secretaries General (from right to left: Habib Chatty, Hassan Al-Touhami, Karim Gaye, and Sharifuddin
Pirzada (At the celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of the creation of the OIC, Jeddah, 7 February 1990)
He published numerous books, articles and papers in Turkish, English and
Arabic on science, history of science, Islamic culture, Turkish culture, relations
between the Muslim and Western worlds, and Turkish-Arab relations, some of
which were translated to Russian, French, Japanese, Korean, Bosnian, Albanian,
and Malay.
He took on the position of OIC Secretary General in January 2005. In fact,
he is the first Secretary General ever to be elected by vote to the position. In 2008,
The Kings and Heads of Government of the OIC Member States elected him for
a second term in office.
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Assistant Secretaries General The Assistant Secretaries-General assist the Secretary General in carrying out
his multiple tasks and responsibilities. They also represent him at some meetings. The Secretary General submits nominations for the appointment of the Assistant Secretaries-General for a five-year term in accordance with the principle of equitable geographical distribution, taking into account their competence, integrity and dedication to serving the objectives of the OIC Charter. One of the positions of assistant secretary-general is allocated to the dossier of Al-Quds and Palestine.
Departments at the OIC General SecretariatCabinet of the Secretary General
The Cabinet follows up on and coordinates the work of the various departments. It prepares and finalizes the reports of the Secretary General in addition to coordinating with subsidiary organs, specialized institutions, and non-governmental organizations. It also coordinates protocol issues.
The functions of the General Secretariat are allocated across departments, as follows:
Department of Palestine and Al-Quds Al- Sharif This department undertakes the follow-up on developments related to the
Palestinian and Al-Quds issues. It also coordinates between the OIC General Secretariat and Palestinian institutions. The Department puts together documents on Palestine and Al-Quds for ministerial meetings. It also formulates media plans to impart information to the public about the Palestinian cause.
Islamic Office for the Boycott of Israel The Office monitors and follows up on the implementation of the provisions of
economic boycott against Israel in the OIC Member States and the implementation of the decisions taken by summits and ministerial meetings in this regard. It also urges states to refrain from dealing with Israel in any direct or indirect ways.
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The General Directorate of Political Affairs This Directorate follows up on a host of political affairs that concern
the Muslim world in general, including African, Arab, Asian, Balkan and Western world affairs. It also oversees relations with international and regional organizations. The General Directorate is entrusted with files on disarmament, conflict resolution, contribution to peace-building operations and security in the OIC Member States in accordance with the decisions adopted by the Islamic Summit and CFMs. It also follows up on the issues of terrorism and studies various international and regional political issues. Department of Economic Affairs
This department puts together studies and research reports on the economic situation in the Muslim world. It oversees the promotion of economic and trade cooperation by urging states to implement the TYPOA and the resolutions of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) and the Islamic Center for Development of Trade (ICDT). It is also in charge of the relations of the General Secretariat with the OIC economic and financial organs, such as the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). Information Department
This department carries out the dissemination of information on and defense of the Muslim world and joint Islamic causes. It also sensitizes the public to the work, mission and objectives of the OIC as well as covers the activities, initiatives and stands of the Organization. The Information Department publishes the outcome of meetings and conferences held under the banner of the OIC. It also publishes press releases issued by the Organization, which express its positions and views about various issues and events. Additionally, the Information Department monitors various media content and issues a number of media publications. The General Directorate of Cultural, Social and Family Affairs
This Directorate is concerned with issues of a cultural character in the Muslim world. It examines, studies and follows up on issues related to interfaith and intercultural dialogue and the Alliance of Civilizations. It prioritizes tackling Islamophobic campaigns, the preservation of the Islamic character of the City of
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Al-Quds, and the protection of Islamic sanctities across the world. It also supports cooperation between the Member States in the fields of culture, education, social development, and the advancement of women, the family, children and youth.
The General Directorate oversees the OIC Islamophobia Observatory, which was established in 2007 under the General Secretariat with the objective of following up and monitoring the phenomenon of Islamophobia, particularly with the phenomenon having taken on such grave dimensions in recent years and having turned into a source of great concern to the Muslim world. The Observatory is entrusted with the task of preparing and issuing an annual report that lays forth the manifestations of Islamophobia at all levels as well as the initiatives undertaken by the OIC General Secretariat in this regard. Department of Da'wa Affairs
This department seeks to streamline and coordinate efforts of Islamic Da'wa [propagation of Islamic teachings and values] across the world and to coordinate them through Da'wa organizations, institutions and societies that are members of the Committee for the Coordination of Joint Islamic Action and its spin-off committees. The department also organizes international seminars and conferences in order to showcase the real and civilizational image of Islam to the world. The General Directorate of Administration and Finance
The General Directorate of Administration & Finance of the OIC General Secretariat comprises two separate departments: the Administration Department, which is in charge of all administrative affairs that include human resource, personnel management procedures, maintenance, procurements, travel arrangements, assets management, security services and so on; and the Finance Department, which is responsible for providing the financial services that include the management, documentation and preparations of final accounts and other audit-related matters as well as the preparation, implementation and maintaining of annual budgets and any other financial issues. Both departments are also responsible to coordinate and cooperate with the OIC subsidiary organs and other institutions on all administrative and financial matters for the General Secretariat of the OIC.
The overall functions of the General Directorate of Administration & Finance ensure the sound and efficient administrative and financial management of the OIC resources and funds, in accordance with OIC Personnel Regulations & Financial Rules as well as any other policies and procedures in effect.
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Internal Audit Department Internal audit seeks to ensure an independent advisory work, which aims to
add value to and improve the OIC performance as well as ensure the proper and neat application of the regulations. Internal audit also strives to ensure the effective and rational use of resources and the accuracy of account statements and data.
Department of Protocol and Public Relations This department's key function lies in carrying out protocol tasks and
communications as well as addressing issues related to the privileges and immunity of the Organization and its staff. The Department also functions as the public relations arm of the OIC.
Conference SectionThis department undertakes the task of preparing, translating, printing,
archiving and circulating conference documents to Member States, as well as arranging meetings at the General Secretariat together with summit and ministerial conferences in coordination with host countries.
Department of Legal Affairs This department deals with legal and regulatory issues relevant to the General
Secretariat and its subsidiary organs. It examines and studies draft conventions and international treaties of interest to the Member States or those which the Member States are invited to join. The department also undertakes the legal procedures for the deposit, registration and publication of treaties and agreements. It provides legal advice to the various departments at the General Secretariat and to the OIC subsidiary organs, whenever necessary. It also follows up on all matters pertaining to human rights issues and to the legal aspects of terrorism.
Department of Science and Technology, Health and Environment This department strives to enhance scientific and technological development
in the Muslim world by ensuring the implementation of the resolutions of the Islamic Conference in the field of scientific and technological cooperation among
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the Member States. It also follows up on activities of the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) and other concerned subsidiary organs.
Department of Muslim Minorities and Communities This department follows up and monitors issues affecting Muslim minorities
and communities in non-OIC Member States. Moreover, it undertakes the task of providing data, information and statistics on Muslim communities and organizes contacts and relations with them and their host countries.
Department of Humanitarian Affairs This is a new department created back in 2008. It is concerned with Islamic
relief work. It coordinates relief efforts conducted individually by the OIC Member States and among charities and civil society institutions in the Member States on the one hand, and international organizations and civil society institutions on the other.
IT Department The main function of the department is to oversee and manage the IT
infrastructure at the General Secretariat. It manages and maintains the local network of the various departments at the OIC General Secretariat. It also provides the means of preserving the security of information, and the follow-up and update of the OIC electronic archive database. It is in charge of designing, developing and regularly updating the OIC website, in addition to providing technical supervision over the management and classification of documents and the provision of special IT services during conferences and meetings, as well as offering technical advice as needed.
Library The library was established in 2007 at the OIC General Secretariat. It
undertakes the task of gathering, organizing and classifying all OIC publications. It acquires the latest publications on issues of interest to the OIC. It also electronically indexes all publications by using advanced information systems.
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OIC Organs and Institutions
The OIC has subsidiary organs and specialised institutions. The subsidiary organs are established within the OIC in accordance with the resolutions of the Islamic Summits and Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM). The latter approves their budgets. The specialised institutions are of a voluntary and open membership to the OIC Member States and enjoy independent budgets. There are also affiliated institutions which are recognised by the CFM and whose objectives are in line with those established in the OIC Charter. Their membership is voluntary and open to all OIC Member States organs and institutions. Their budgets are independent from those of the OIC General Secretariat, its subsidiary organs or specialised institutions.
The OIC subsidiary organs and specialised and affiliated institutions play a vital role in the implementation of the policies and objectives of the Organisation in all spheres.
Subsidiary Organs
Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF)The Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) was established in pursuance of a
resolution adopted by the 2nd Islamic Summit Conference held in February 1974 in Lahore, Pakistan.
The ISF was established to assist a number of small cultural, social and relief activities in the Muslim World and among Muslim communities and minorities living in non-Muslim states.
(www.isf-fsi.org)
Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC)
The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) was founded in pursuance of a resolution adopted by the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) held in Tripoli in 1977.
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The principal objective of the Centre is to enhance research, conduct studies, and collect, collate and disseminate statistics on the socio-economic conditions in the Muslim World with a view to enhancing development projects in the OIC Member States. The Centre is based in Ankara, Republic of Turkey.
(www.sesrtcic.org)
Islamic University of Technology (IUT) The Islamic University of Technology (IUT) was initially established as an
Islamic Centre in pursuance of a resolution adopted by the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) held in Dakar, Senegal in 1978. Later, it became the Islamic University of Technology.
The main objective of the University is to offer help in terms of human resources development in member states of the OIC, in different fields of engineering, technology and technical and vocational education. The IUT is based in Dhaka, People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
(www.iutoic-dhaka.edu)
Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA)The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Istanbul in 1976,
adopted a proposal to establish the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) which started its activities in 1980, undertaking research and studies, relating to history, culture and art in the Muslim World and documentation thereof. The Centre is also a gathering space for Muslim scholars and researchers in these fields of interest. It comprises a big library which has a large number of rare books about the Islamic world and civilization. It also publishes a variety of studies and books in different languages in various fields of interest. IRCICA is seated in Istanbul in the historical Yildiz Palace.
(www.ircica.org)
International Islamic Fiqh AcademyThe International Islamic Fiqh Academy was founded in pursuance of a
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resolution adopted by the Third Islamic Summit Conference, held in Makkah
Al-Mukarramah and Taif in 1981. The academy conducts in-depth Islamic Fiqh
(jurisprudence) studies relating to the world’s contemporary issues in different
spheres of life. It also performs the task of Ijtihad (independent reasoning) and
issuance of jurisprudence decisions and Fatwa (legal opinion) regarding religious
and life matters referred to it. It has recently been developed to be the highest
reference of Fatwa and it has the mandate of coordinating Fatwa with a view
to counter erring and extremist thoughts which misuse religion and the Fatwa
exercise.
The Academy is seated in the city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(www.fiqhacademy.org)
Islamic Centre for the Development of Trade (ICDT)The Third Islamic Summit Conference approved the statute of the ICDT
in 1981. The Centre develops and encourages OIC intra-trade through the
organisation of exhibitions, symposia and training sessions as well as through
conducting economic studies and research.
The Centre is headquartered in Casablanca (Kingdom of Morocco).
(www.icdt-oic.org)
Specialized Institutions
Islamic Development Bank (IDB)The Islamic Development Bank (IDB), an OIC specialized financing
institution, was established in pursuance of a resolution adopted by the Islamic
Conference of Finance Ministers held in Jeddah in December 1973. The Bank
was officially opened on 20 October 1975.
The purpose of the Bank is to foster socio-economic development in
member countries and among Muslim communities in non-member countries
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(individually and collectively) in conformity with the principles of Shari’ah. The Bank provides a wide range of services to member countries to enhance their human development. This includes trade financing and encouragement of investments and all forms of economic cooperation among member countries. The Bank establishes and operates special funds for specific purposes, one of these being the Fund for Assistance to Muslim communities in non-member countries. The IDB also supervises trust funds and provides member countries with technical assistance, training facilities for personnel engaged in economic, financial and banking activities and helps member countries to develop their intra-trade of manufactured goods.
The main condition for accession to IDB membership is for the applicant State be a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and a regular payer of its contribution to the capital of the Bank as may be decided by the IDB Board of Governors. The present membership of the Bank consists of 56 countries. The Bank’s authorised capital is 30 billion Islamic Dinars (ID)(1) and its subscribed capital is ID15 billions. The Bank’s principal office is in Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (www.isdb.org)
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) ISESCO is a specialised institution of the OIC in the fields of education,
science and culture in the Islamic world.It was established by virtue of a resolution of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers held in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, in May 1980. ISESCO’s constituent conference was held in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, in May 1982.
The objectives of ISESCO include strengthening cooperation among member states in the field of education, science, culture and communication; promoting the positive image of Islam and Islamic culture; encouraging dialogue between civilisations, cultures and religions and promoting the values of justice,
(1)1 The value of the Islamic Dinar is subject to fluctuation as it is tied to a currency basket. Its value in August 2009 was equal to US$ 1.560591.
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peace, freedom and human rights in conformity with the perspective of Islamic civilisation and with due consideration to the preservation of cultural identity and intellectual independence. The Organisation also provides support to the educational, scientific and cultural institutions of the Muslims in non-member countries.
The ISESCO is headquartered in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco.
(www.isesco.org.ma)
International Islamic News Agency (IINA)
The International Islamic News Agency was established in March 1972 with
a view to develop close relations among mass media in the field of information
and to expand communication and technical cooperation between news agencies
in the OIC member states. The Seventh Islamic Conference of Information
Ministers (2006) decided to restructure the Agency.
The Agency is headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(www.iina.me)
Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU)
The Islamic Broadcasting Union (IBU) was established in 1975 with the aim
of enhancing cooperation among broadcasting institutions in the Islamic world
and exchanging radio and TV programmes serving the OIC objectives. The Union
is due to witness some reform and fresh development process.
The headquarters of the Union are located in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
(www.isboo.org)
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Affiliated Institutions
Islamic University of Niger (IUN)The Islamic University of Niger (IUN) was created in pursuance of a
resolution adopted by the 2nd Islamic Summit Conference held in Lahore, Pakistan in February 1974. The IUN promotes the Islamic culture and education in the broader sense and assists in preserving Islamic identity and improving the conditions of Muslims in the West African region. In addition it promotes knowledge and encourages scientific research.
(www.universite-say.ne)
World Federation of Arabo-Islamic International Schools (WFAIIS)The World Federation of Arabo-Islamic International Schools was established
in 1976. It represents the Arabo-Islamic Schools all over the world and seeks to support and assist them.
The Federation’s headquarters is located in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt.(www.wfais.org)
Islamic Committee of the International Crescent (ICIC)The Islamic Committee of the International Crescent was established in
1977 to provide medical and humanitarian assistance during natural or man-made disasters.
The Headquarters of the Committee is located in Benghazi, the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)The Statute of the Chamber was adopted in December 1978 in Karachi.
The Chamber represents the private sector in 57 member countries and works on developing closer collaboration in the fields of commerce, information technology, insurance/reinsurance, shipping, banking, promotion of investment
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and joint venture opportunities in the private sector of the member countries.The headquarters of the Chamber is located in Karachi, Pakistan.(www.iccionline.net)
Organisation of Islamic Capitals and Cities (OICC)The Organisation of Islamic Capitals and Cities was officially founded in
1980 to consolidate collaboration among the member states’ capitals and cities. The headquarters of the OICC is located in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and
the offices of its General Secretariat are based in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(www.oicc.org)
Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF)The Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation was founded by virtue of a
resolution adopted by the Third Islamic Summit Conference held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah/ Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in January 1981 (1401H). The Federation is aimed at strengthening Islamic solidarity among youth in Member States.
The headquarters of the ISSF are in the Saudi Capital, Riyadh.
Organisation of the Islamic Shipowners Association (OISA)The Organisation of the Islamic Shipowners Association was created in
January 1981 (1401H) to coordinate and unify the efforts of maritime companies with a view to developing maritime transport in Member Countries.
The OISA headquarters are located in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.(www.oisaonline.com)
Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) The Islamic World Academy for Sciences was established in 1986 with the
aim of strengthening the capacities of the Islamic world in the field of science and technology.
The headquarters of the Academy are located in Amman, Jordan. (www.ias-worldwide.org)
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Federation of Consultants from Islamic Countries (FCIC)The Federation of Consultants from Islamic Countries was established in
1986 to assist in the development of consultancy services in Islamic countries and encourage the various disciplines in the profession to attain a high degree of proficiency and competence.
The headquarters of the Federation are located in Istanbul, Turkey.(www.fcic-org.com)
The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)The IUIU commenced its activities back in 1988. It is a leading institution
in the field of higher education in the east African region. Its core task is to disseminate knowledge, cultivate skills, provide training programs as well as encourage scientific research.
(www.iuiu.ac.ug)International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS)
The International Union of Muslim Scouts comprises scouts bodies and associations representing Muslim scouts all over the world. It was granted the affiliated-institution status in 1994. The Union aims at promoting scouting activities and building self-reliance among Muslim youth.
The headquarters of IUMS are located in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(www.iums.net)
Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC)The Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation became
an OIC affiliated institution in 2005. It seeks to coordinate youth activities in the OIC Member States.
The ICYF-DC headquarters are located in Istanbul, Turkey.
(www.icyf.com)
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Chapter IIOIC itinerary
1 - OIC role in promoting Islamic unity
2- Reform process
- Ten-Year Program of Action
- Charter
3- OIC External Relations
- United Nations
- European Union
- League of Arab States
- African Union
- Gulf Cooperation Council
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1- OIC Role in Promoting Islamic Unity
Since its establishment, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference has been
dedicated to serving the objectives of Islamic solidarity and defending the just
causes of the Ummah, foremost of which that of Al-Quds and Palestine. The OIC
has consistently enhanced joint Islamic action and has, over the past four decades,
become an Islamic forum defending the just causes of the Muslim Ummah at all
international and regional fora and institutions.
The establishment of various subsidiary and specialised organs within
the OIC has helped to develop mechanisms for joint Islamic solidarity and to
expand such mechanisms to include the commercial, economic and cultural
cooperation domains. Similarly, the OIC Islamic solidarity activities have helped
in the promotion of the values of fraternity and collaboration among the Muslim
peoples across the globe. These activities have reached Muslim communities and
minorities in non-member countries and helped to resolve many problems and
difficulties which have occurred occasionally.
This has been helpful to the Organisation in gaining adequate experience
in conflict resolution and preservation of peace among member states. The OIC
was instrumental in addressing the consequences of the conflict between the two
parts of Pakistan, which led to the independence of Bangladesh. In addition, the
Casablanca Charter which was adopted by the Fourth Islamic Summit in 1984,
provided for a number of initiatives to this end.
The OIC played a significant role in convincing the conflicting parties in
Iraq to sign the “Makkah Document on the Situation in Iraq” in 2006 to end the
sectarian conflict between Sunnis and Shiites.
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Prof
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2- Reform process
Over the past decade, the OIC Member States realised the dire need for the role of the Organisation to be invigorated and for them to focus their efforts on overcoming the state of disfunction and weakness of joint Islamic action resulting from the stagnating human development movement in many countries of the Islamic world and the widespread unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and lack of potential. Therefore, calls for reform and radical change emerged to enable the Ummah to preserve its identity, civilisation and human values against the challenges deriving from the global situation.
The leaders of the Islamic world realised the need for an enhanced cooperation in order to meet these challenges and for practical initiatives to be adopted in that direction so as to revive and revitalize the pioneer role of the Islamic Ummah.
In response to these calls, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, launched an invitation to the leaders of the Ummah to convene in an OIC extraordinary conference to address the causes of solidarity and joint Islamic action.
These efforts resulted in the Makkah Al-Mukarrama Extraordinary Summit being held in December 2005 with a view to take practical and effective decisions to work through the obstacles standing in the way of achieving a real renaissance at the political, economic, cultural and social levels all over the Islamic world. In preparation for this Extraordinary Summit, an elite group of intellectuals, scholars and specialists in different disciplines met to contribute realistic and optimal solutions. The Extraordinary Summit approved a ten-year programme of action prepared by the General Secretariat, providing well-considered and realistic programmes as well as solutions to meet challenges and develop the Islamic world through joint efforts in all spheres of political, socio-economic, cultural and scientific life.
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Ten-Year Programme of Action
The Ten-Year Programme of Action (TYPOA), a document setting the means to achieve reform in the Islamic world, was unanimously adopted in December 2005 by the leaders of the Member States participating in the Makkah Al-Mukarrama Extraordinary Summit.
The TYPOA adopted a number of significant measures such as strengthening the bonds of solidarity and collaboration among Member States in various fields, establishing the values of moderation and tolerance, combating extremism, violence and terrorism, and countering Islamophobia.
In the economic and scientific fields, the TYPOA calls for the enhancement of development and prosperity, and the promotion of intra-OIC trade given the abundant economic resources and potentials of the OIC Member States. Priority is given to the situation of the least-developed countries, in particular, in Africa.
Similarly, the Ten-Year Programme of Action focuses on education and culture to tackle the spread of illiteracy and support the efforts aimed at improving educational curricula in the fields of science and technology, and achieving scientific excellence and constructive education for the present and future generations. In addition, the TYPOA called for the OIC Charter to be amended through the introduction of new principles, objectives and visions in order for it to be in alignment with the present-day challenges, and in order for the Organisation’s role to be boosted in all its fields of activity. This would make it more capable of advancing in the fields of reform, development and progress including the empowerment of Muslim women and supporting their efforts for the development of the Muslim communities.
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Charter
After exhaustive discussions among scholars, jurists, politicians and diplomats for two years, the Eleventh Islamic Summit held in March 2008 in Dakar, Senegal, adopted the new Charter of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.
Based on its new insightful vision the Charter has become the base for the OIC future course of action in line with the requisites of the twenty first century.
The new Charter is comprised of eighteen chapters which include thirty nine articles. The main objectives and principles of the Charter are to enhance and consolidate the bonds of fraternity and solidarity among the Member States; safeguard and protect the common interests, support the legitimate causes of the Member States and coordinate and unify their efforts to meet the challenges facing the Islamic world in particular and the international community in general.
The Charter also calls for strengthening intra-Islamic economic and trade cooperation in order to achieve economic integration.
In addition, it provides for disseminating, promoting and preserving the Islamic teachings and values which are based on moderation and tolerance, promoting Islamic culture, safeguarding Islamic heritage, and striving to achieve sustainable human development and economic well-being in Member States.
The Charter is also keen on making manifest the true image of Islam and defending it. It also calls for the promotion of inter-faith and inter-civilizational dialogue.
One of the most significant objectives of the Charter is to advance and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms including the rights of women, children, youth, the elderly and people with special needs, and to preserve Islamic family values. It also aims to safeguard the rights, dignity and religious and cultural identity of Muslim communities and minorities in non-Member States.
The Charter provides for support to be extended to the Palestinian people in their struggle and their quest to achieve their right to self-determination and to the establishment of their sovereign state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. It also provides for efforts to be made to safeguard its historic and Islamic character of Al-Quds/Jerusalem and the holy places therein.
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Furthermore, the Charter urges for the enhancement and development of science and technology, encouragement of research, cooperation among Member States in these fields, promotion and defense of a unified position on issues of common interest in the international fora, cooperation in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, cooperation and coordination in times of natural disasters and man-made emergencies, contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security and refraining from interfering in each other’s internal affairs as enshrined in the current OIC Charter, the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law.
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3- OIC External Relations
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference entertains relations with many international and regional organisations foremost of which the United Nations where the OIC enjoys an observer status.
Since the mid-1970s, the OIC embarked on concluding cooperation agreements and memos of understanding with these organisations to serve common interests and facilitate coordination. In the course of the Seventies of the Twentieth Century, the OIC signed an agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) along with other collaboration agreements with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Conference on Trade and Development, the UN High Commission for Refugees, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The OIC has offices in New York, Geneva and Brussels enhancing its affiliations and its role at the international fora and coordinating the efforts of the representatives of the Member States therein.
In addition, the OIC participates in the activities of many international and regional organisations and organises a range of symposia and events in many world cities with a view to promoting and defending Islam and the legitimate causes of the Muslim world. In this vein, a number of events have recently been organised in various venues such as Wilton Park and Oxford Centre in Britain, Dialogue Centre at New York University, School of International and Public Affairs of Columbia University in New York, International Peace Academy, Council on Foreign Relations, US Committee on Foreign Policy as well as Georgetown University, Centre for Strategic Studies, Rumi Forum and the Atlantic Council in Washington.
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United Nations
In 1976 the Organisation of the Islamic Conference signed an agreement with the United Nations Organisation by virtue of which the OIC was granted an observer status at the UN. This entitled the Organisation to attend the various UN conferences and events.
The level and scope of cooperation between the OIC and UN have expanded
in the political, economic, social, cultural, scientific and technological domains.
An annual coordination meeting on collaboration between the two
Organisations is held with two high-level delegations representing the OIC General
Secretariat and the United Nations and their specialised organs to exchange
experiences and visions, discuss issues of common interest and coordinate.
Ihsanoglu & UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon – Doha (January 2009)
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European UnionThe Organisation of the Islamic Conference has, in recent years, sought to
establish close work ties with several key international organisations, opening
work channels to coordinate joint efforts aimed at fruitful collaboration to serve
public interests.
The OIC headquarters in Jeddah often receive European delegations
comprising ministers, ambassadors, consuls and parliamentarians to exchange
views on all issues of common interest and concern.
Secretary General in a meeting with Finnish President Tarja Halonen (Jeddah – October 2007)
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League of Arab States
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference signed a Cooperation Agreement
with the League of Arab States (LAS) in 1975. On 21 January 2009, this agreement
was amended and signed at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah by the OIC Secretary
General and LAS Secretary General.Given that all LAS Member States are members of the OIC, prospects of
collaboration between the two Organisations are very broad. The OIC Member States are the strategic depth of the LAS and its Member States. It is therefore only natural that the stances and views of the two Organisations are convergent on almost all major issues of concern to the Islamic and Arab worlds.
SG Ihsanoglu & former EU High Commissioner, Javier Solana(At the Headquarters of the OIC General Secretariat - Jeddah - February 2006)
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African Union
Twenty six African countries are members of the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference, which entails distinguished and diverse relations between the latter
and the African Union. Consequently, regular contacts are maintained between the
two organisations through dispatching joint missions to coordinate and integrate
stances on causes of common interest in a manner that serves the interests and
causes of the two parties.
The OIC has a special programme for development and poverty alleviation in
Africa, particularly in human resources, economic and technical development and
fighting diseases in the continent, most importantly polio, malaria and AIDS.
SG Ihsanoglu & LAS SG Amr Moussa at signing ceremony (At the Headquarters of the OIC General Secretariat - Jeddah - January 2009)
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Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference has signed a cooperation
agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council with a view to boosting coordination
between the two parties on political, cultural, media, economic, social and
environmental issues.
Ihsanoglu and GCC SG Abdurrahman Al-Atiya during signing ceremonyof a cooperation agreement (Jeddah - September 2008)
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Chapter IIIPublications
- Islamophobia Report
- OIC Journal
- Weekly Newsletter
- Daily News Monitoring Brief
- Website
- Other publications
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Islamophobia Observatory Report
The Islamophobia Observatory issues an annual report on the manifestations
of Islamophobia which alarmingly continues to grow and has become a
demonstration of racism and discrimination against Muslims. The Observatory
has issued two reports, of which the latest was released in May 2009. The two
reports detail the efforts of incitement to hatred and attack against Muslim
symbols and sanctities.
The reports also reflect the concern of the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference over the intricate situation of Muslims in Western communities. In
addition, they shed light on legal aspects in countering this phenomenon through
emphasising that it is in contradiction with the demands of the international
conventions which prohibit violation of human rights, call for tolerance
and refraining from the defamation of religions, and urge to end all forms of
discrimination and intolerance against Muslims.
In addition, the reports note that there is now a growing awareness on the
part of the international community of the disadvantages of Islamophobia and the
threats posed by continuing to defame Islam.
OIC Journal
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference, through its Information
Department, issues a quarterly journal which covers the OIC activities and
organs. It also addresses the causes and preoccupations of the Muslim world.
The OIC Journal is published in Arabic and English and there are also plans to
have it published in French. Eleven issues have been published so far, which are
accessible on the OIC website: www.oic-oci.org.
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 200986
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 87
Weekly NewsletterTo cover the major activities of the OIC and its organs, the Information
Department issues an electronic weekly newsletter which is sent to all information
bodies in the OIC Member States and beyond.
Daily News BulletinSimilarly, the Information Department of the OIC General Secretariat
releases a daily electronic bulletin to follow up the OIC and Islamic world news
reported by world press and news agencies. The information collected is saved
and archived on a daily basis on the OIC website.
OIC WebsiteGiven the wide scope of communication and outreach afforded by electronic
media, the OIC website (www.oic-oci.org) has gone through a considerable
process of development and improvement. This website is particularly attracting
the attention of visitors whose numbers are rising steadily.
The website includes all the files and documents defining the OIC and
its organs including the General Secretariat. The website also comprises all
information relating to the OIC in terms of conferences, agreements, conventions
as well as coverage of the latest OIC events.
Other PublicationsThe OIC subsidiary organs, affiliated and specialised institutions as well as
the General Secretariat’s Departments have various periodic publications.
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 89
Chapter IVOIC Headquarters
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 101
Annex of the OIC Member States
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 91
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abullah Bin Abdelaziz, of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, gave his instructions for the construction of a new headquarters for the Organization of the Islamic Conference. This generous gesture is a concrete evidence of the interest given to OIC affairs by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the headquarter-State, and its determination to ensure that the OIC and all its employees are accorded all the means necessary to facilitate their work and promote their efficiency. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques had gifted the OIC with a large plot of land covering 40.000 sq meters to build its new headquarters. The initial stages for the construction of the new headquarters started after selecting the best design prepared by the Austrian Office <Thomas Pucher and Alfred Bramberger>, winners of an international design competition organized for the purpose.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques had laid the foundation stone for
the new headquarters of the OIC on the occasion of the opening of the Third
Extraordinary Islamic Summit in Makkah-Al Mukarramah on 7-8 December 2005
in the presence of the kings and heads of State and Government of the OIC.
The new headquarters, which will be built on a prime location in Jeddah, is
expected to be an Islamic monument with unique characteristics such as to make
of it one of the most attractive architectural sites in the city.
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 200992
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Foun
datio
n St
one
of th
e Fu
ture
OIC
Hea
dqua
rters
in Je
ddah
(Dec
embe
r 200
5)
1575 english 2.indd 92 5/30/10 11:51:55 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 93
HR
H P
rince
Kha
led
Al-F
aisa
l Gov
erno
r of M
akka
h R
egio
n an
d th
e Se
cret
ary
Gen
eral
in fr
ont o
f th
e sc
ale
mod
el o
f the
Fut
ure
OIC
Hea
dqua
rters
- Je
ddah
(Mar
ch 2
008)
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 200994
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Pict
ure
of th
e fir
st O
IC H
eadq
uarte
rs (1
970
- 200
2) (T
elev
ised
pho
to)
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 95
Current OIC Headquarters (Since November 2009)
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 97
Chapter VMember States
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 99
(1) See Annex of the OIC Member States
The new Charter states that the OIC is made up of its current 57 Member
States and of any other State which may later accede to this Charter. It further
states that any State, member of the United Nations, having a Muslim majority and
abiding by the Charter, which submits an application for membership, may join
the Organisation subject to the approval by consensus of the Council of Foreign
Ministers on the basis of the agreed criteria adopted by the said Council.
Attached as a separate annex(1) is a list of the OIC Member States including
a brief summary about these states. The summary has utilised the statistics on
population, national day, names of capitals and national currency as released by
the Ankara-based Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre
for the Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
In this respect, it must be pointed out that the General Secretariat contacted
the Member States to solicit their views as to the information included in their
respective summaries, and the responses received were duly taken care of.
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 103
Cou
ntry
Cap
ital
Popu
latio
nSu
rfac
e(s
q K
m)
Cur
renc
yIn
tern
atio
nal
Cod
eYe
ar o
f M
embe
rshi
pN
atio
nal D
ay
Isla
mic
Rep
ublic
of
Afg
hani
stan
Kab
ul30
.000
.000
653.
000
Afg
hani
+93
(af)
1969
19 A
ugus
t
Rep
ublic
of A
lban
iaTi
rana
3.14
3.29
128
.750
Lek
+355
(al)
1992
28 N
ovem
ber
Peop
le’s D
emoc
ratic
Rep
ublic
of A
lgeria
Alg
iers
34.8
00.0
002.
381.
741
Alg
eria
n D
inar
+213
(dz)
1969
1 N
ovem
ber
Rep
ublic
of A
zerb
aija
n Ba
ku
8.23
7.67
286
.600
Man
at+9
94 (a
z)19
9128
May
Kin
gdom
of B
ahra
in
Man
amah
76
0.16
869
0Ba
hrai
ni D
inar
+973
(bh)
1972
16 D
ecem
ber
Peop
le’s
Rep
ublic
of
Bang
lade
shD
haka
15
0.00
0.00
014
7.57
0Ta
ka+8
80 (b
d)19
7426
Mar
ch
Rep
ublic
of B
enin
Po
rto-
Nov
o9.
025.
402
112.
620
CFA
Fra
nc
+229
(bj)
1983
1st A
ugus
t
Brun
ei-D
arus
sala
mBa
ndar
Ser
i Be
gaw
an39
8.00
05.
765
Brun
eian
Dol
lar
+673
(bn)
1984
23 F
ebru
ary
Burk
ina-
Faso
Oua
gado
ugou
15.2
08.5
8527
3.60
0C
FA F
ranc
+226
(bf)
1974
11 D
ecem
ber
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009104
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Rep
ublic
of C
amer
oun
Yaou
ndé
18.5
32.7
9947
5.44
0C
FA F
ranc
+237
(cm
)19
7420
May
Rep
ublic
of C
had
N’D
jam
ena
10.7
63.6
381.
284.
000
CFA
Fra
nc+2
35 (t
d)19
6911
Aug
ust
Uni
on o
f the
Com
oros
Mor
oni
635.
669
2.23
6C
omor
an F
ranc
+269
(km
)19
766
July
Rep
ublic
of C
ôte
d’Iv
oire
Yam
ouss
oukr
ou20
.591
.302
318.
000
CFA
Fra
nc+2
25 (c
i)20
017
Aug
ust
Rep
ublic
of D
jibou
ti D
jibou
ti83
2.99
223
.200
Djib
outia
n Fr
anc
+253
(dj)
1978
27 J
une
Ara
b R
epub
lic o
f Egy
ptC
airo
78.7
00.0
001.
001.
450
Egyp
tian
Poun
d+2
0 (e
g)19
6923
Jul
y
Stat
e of
the
Uni
ted
Ara
b Em
irat
esA
bu D
habi
4.44
8.00
082
.880
Emir
ates
Dir
ham
+971
(ae)
1972
2 D
ecem
ber
Rep
ublic
of t
he G
abon
Li
brev
ille
1.44
8.15
925
7.67
0C
FA F
ranc
+241
(ga)
1974
17 A
ugus
t
Rep
ublic
of t
he G
ambi
a Ba
njul
1.70
6.76
710
.380
Dal
asi
+220
(gm
)19
7418
Feb
ruar
y
Rep
ublic
of G
uine
aC
onak
ry9.
380.
197
245.
857
Gui
nean
Fra
nc+2
24 (g
n)19
692
Oct
ober
1575 english 2.indd 104 5/30/10 11:52:42 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 105
Rep
ublic
of G
uine
a-Bi
ssau
Bi
ssau
1.57
5.44
628
.120
CFA
Fra
nc+2
45 (g
w)
1974
24 S
epte
mbe
r
Rep
ublic
of G
uyan
a G
eorg
etow
n 77
2.29
821
4.97
0G
uyan
a D
olla
r+5
92 (g
y)19
9826
May
Rep
ublic
of I
ndon
esia
Jaka
rta
222.
191.
544
8.16
9.46
5In
done
sian
Rup
iah
+62
(id)
1969
17 A
ugus
t
Isla
mic
Rep
ublic
of I
ran
Tehr
an71
.021
.390
1.64
8.19
5Ir
ania
n R
ial
+98
(ir)
1969
11 F
ebru
ary
Rep
ublic
of I
raq
Bagh
dad
31.0
00.0
0043
7.07
2Ir
aqi D
inar
+964
(iq)
1975
Has
hem
ite K
ingd
om o
f Jor
dan
Am
man
6.00
0.00
089
.287
Jord
ania
n D
inar
+962
(jo)
1969
25 M
ay
Rep
ublic
of K
azak
hsta
n A
stan
a15
.560
.000
2.72
4.90
0Te
nge
+7 (k
z)19
9516
Dec
embe
r
Stat
e of
Kuw
ait
Kuw
ait
3.44
1.81
317
.818
Kuw
aiti
Din
ar+9
65 (k
w)
1969
25 F
ebru
ary
Kyr
gyz
Rep
ublic
Bish
kek
5.30
9.00
019
9.90
0So
m
+996
(kg)
1992
31 A
ugus
t
Rep
ublic
of L
eban
onBe
irut
5.
127.
532
10.4
52Le
bane
se P
ound
+961
(lb)
1969
22 N
ovem
ber
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
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Gre
at S
ocia
list P
eopl
e’s L
ibya
n Ar
ab J
amah
iriya
Trip
oli
6.17
3.57
91.
759.
540
Liby
an D
inar
+218
(ly)
1969
1st S
epte
mbe
r
Mal
aysia
Kua
la
Lum
pur
27.7
30.0
0032
9.75
0R
ingg
it+6
0 (m
y)19
6931
Aug
ust
Rep
ublic
of M
aldi
ves
Mal
e31
0.47
329
8R
ufiya
a+9
60 (m
v)19
7626
Jul
y
Rep
ublic
of M
ali
Bam
ako
12.7
11.1
391.
220.
190
CFA
Fra
nc+2
23 (m
l)19
6922
Sep
tem
ber
Isla
mic
Rep
ublic
of M
auri
tani
aN
ouak
chot
t 3.
200.
288
1.03
0.70
0O
ugui
ya+2
22 (m
r)19
6928
Nov
embe
r
Kin
gdom
of M
oroc
coR
abat
31.5
14.0
0071
0.85
0M
oroc
can
Dir
ham
+212
(ma)
196
930
Jul
y
Rep
ublic
of M
ozam
biqu
e M
aput
o 20
.366
.795
799.
380
Met
ical
+258
(mz)
1994
25 J
une
Rep
ublic
of t
he N
iger
Nia
mey
14
.195
.085
1.26
7.00
0C
FA F
ranc
+227
(ne)
1969
3 A
ugus
t
Fede
ral R
epub
lic o
f Nig
eria
Abu
ja14
7.98
2.94
192
3.76
8N
aira
+234
(ng)
1986
1 O
ctob
er
Sulta
nate
of O
man
Mus
cat
2.59
9.55
130
9.50
0O
man
i Riy
al+9
68 (o
m)
1972
18 N
ovem
ber
1575 english 2.indd 106 5/30/10 11:52:48 AM
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 107
Isla
mic
Rep
ublic
of P
akist
anIs
lam
abad
162.
389.
013
803.
940
Paki
stan
iR
upee
+92
(pk)
1969
23 M
arch
Stat
e of
Pal
estin
eA
l-Qod
s8.
000.
000
27.0
09Jo
rdan
ian
Din
aran
d ot
her
curr
enci
es
+970
+970
2+9
708
(p
s)19
69
Stat
e of
Qat
arD
oha
1.50
0.00
011
.521
Qat
ari R
iyal
+974
(qa)
1970
18 D
ecem
ber
Kin
gdom
of S
audi
Ara
bia
Riy
adh
21.4
00.0
002.
250.
000
Saud
i Riy
al+9
66 (s
a)19
6923
Sep
tem
ber
Rep
ublic
of S
eneg
alD
akar
12.2
11.1
8119
6.72
2C
FA F
ranc
+221
(sn)
1969
4 A
pril
Rep
ublic
of S
ierr
a Le
one
Free
tow
n6.
500.
000
71.7
40Le
one
+232
(sl)
1972
27 A
pril
Rep
ublic
of S
omal
ia
Mog
adish
u 15
.000
.000
837.
657
Som
ali S
hilli
ng+2
52 (s
o)19
691st
Jul
y
Rep
ublic
of t
he S
udan
K
hart
oum
38.5
55.5
692.
503.
890
Suda
nese
Pou
nd+2
49 (s
d)19
691st
Jan
uary
Rep
ublic
of S
urin
amPa
ram
arib
o 51
5.12
415
6.00
0Su
rina
m D
olla
r+5
97 (s
r)19
9625
Nov
embe
r
Syri
an A
rab
Rep
ublic
Dam
ascu
s22
.331
.000
185.
180
Syri
an p
ound
+963
(sy)
1972
17 A
pril
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009108
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Rep
ublic
of T
ajik
istan
D
usha
nbe
7.67
5.00
014
3.10
0So
mon
i +9
92 (t
j)19
929
Sept
embe
r
Rep
ublic
of T
ogo
Lom
é6.
458.
605
56.0
00C
FA F
ranc
+228
(tg)
1997
27 A
pril
Rep
ublic
of T
unisi
aTu
nis
10.3
27.8
0016
5.15
5Tu
nisia
n D
inar
+216
(tn)
1969
20 M
arch
Rep
ublic
of T
urkm
enist
anA
chga
bat
6.90
0.00
049
1.20
0M
anat
+993
(tm
) 19
9227
Oct
ober
Rep
ublic
of T
urke
yA
nkar
a71
.517
.100
779.
452
Turk
ish L
ira
+90
(tr)
1969
29 O
ctob
er
Rep
ublic
of U
gand
a K
ampa
la31
.656
.865
199.
650
Uga
ndan
Shi
lling
+256
(ug)
1974
9 O
ctob
er
Rep
ublic
of U
zbek
istan
Ta
shke
nt
27.0
00.0
0044
7.40
0Su
m+9
98 (u
z)19
961
Sept
embe
r
Rep
ublic
of Y
emen
Sana
’a
20.0
00.0
0055
5.00
0Ye
men
ite R
iyal
+967
(ye)
1969
22 M
ay
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 109
Obs
erve
r Sta
tes
The
statu
s of ‘
Obs
erve
r’ at
the
OIC
is c
urre
ntly
enj
oyed
by
five
Stat
es, a
s fol
low
s:
Stat
eYe
ar o
f Mem
bers
hip
Turk
ish
Cyp
riot S
tate
1979
Bos
nia
and
Her
zego
vina
19
94
Cen
tral A
fric
an R
epub
lic19
96
Kin
gdom
of T
haila
nd19
98
Rus
sian
Fed
erat
ion
2005
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Professor IhsanogluIn Meetings with Leaders and Ministers
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Secretary-General in a meeting with The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdallah during The Third Extraordinary Summit – Makkah (December 2005)
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Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he S
eneg
ales
e Pr
esid
ent A
bdou
laye
Wad
e –
New
Yor
k (S
epte
mbe
r 200
8)
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 115
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he In
done
sian
Pre
side
nt B
amba
ng Y
udho
yono
– Je
ddah
(A
pril
2006
)
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009116
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he T
unis
ian
Pres
iden
t Zin
e El
Abi
dine
Ben
Ali
Tun
is (N
ovem
ber 2
007)
1575 english 2.indd 116 5/30/10 11:53:24 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 117
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he E
gypt
ian
Pres
iden
t Hos
ni M
ubar
ak
Cai
ro (F
ebru
ary
2007
)
1575 english 2.indd 117 5/30/10 11:53:27 AM
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009118
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he Ir
aqi P
resi
dent
Jala
l Tal
aban
i B
aghd
ad (F
ebru
ary
2009
)
1575 english 2.indd 118 5/30/10 11:53:30 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 119
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he S
yria
n pr
esid
ent B
asha
r al-A
ssad
D
amas
cus (
May
200
9)
1575 english 2.indd 119 5/30/10 11:53:34 AM
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009120
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he L
eban
ese
Pres
iden
t Mic
hel S
ulei
man
Je
ddah
(Oct
ober
200
8)
1575 english 2.indd 120 5/30/10 11:53:39 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 121
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he P
akis
tani
Pre
side
nt A
sif Z
arda
ri Is
lam
abad
(Mar
ch 2
010)
1575 english 2.indd 121 5/30/10 11:53:43 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009122
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he P
resi
dent
of R
ussi
a D
mitr
y M
edve
dev
Mos
cow
(Mar
ch 2
009)
1575 english 2.indd 122 5/30/10 11:53:46 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 123
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al re
ceiv
ing
the
Turk
ey P
resi
dent
Abd
ulla
h G
ul -
Jedd
ah (F
ebru
ary
2009
)
1575 english 2.indd 123 5/30/10 11:53:52 AM
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009124
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a d
iscu
ssio
n w
ith T
he fo
rmer
Pak
ista
ni P
resi
dent
Per
vez
Mus
harr
af –
Is
lam
abad
(May
200
7)
1575 english 2.indd 124 5/30/10 11:53:57 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 125
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al re
ceiv
ing
the
Turk
ish
Prim
e M
inis
ter R
ecep
Tay
yip
Erdo
gan
Jedd
ah (M
arch
200
6)
1575 english 2.indd 125 5/30/10 11:54:01 AM
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009126
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he P
rime
Min
iste
r of R
ussi
a V
ladi
mir
Putin
M
osco
w (M
arch
200
9)
1575 english 2.indd 126 5/30/10 11:54:04 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 127
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he U
gand
an P
resi
dent
Yow
eri M
usev
eni
Kam
pala
(Jun
e 20
08)
1575 english 2.indd 127 5/30/10 11:54:10 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009128
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he K
ing
Abd
ulla
h II
of J
orda
n –
Am
man
(Apr
il 20
10)
1575 english 2.indd 128 5/30/10 11:54:14 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 129
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith E
mir
of Q
atar
She
ikh
Ham
ad B
in K
halif
a D
oha
(Oct
ober
200
9)
1575 english 2.indd 129 5/30/10 11:54:20 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009130
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Secretary-General and American President Barack Obama Istanbul (April 2009)
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 131
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he fo
rmer
Fre
nch
Pres
iden
t Jac
ques
Chi
rac
Par
is (J
anua
ry 2
007)
1575 english 2.indd 131 5/30/10 11:54:29 AM
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009132
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
HR
H P
rince
Sul
tan
bin
Abd
ulaz
iz C
row
n Pr
ince
, Sec
reta
ry-G
ener
al a
nd th
e Eg
yptia
n In
form
atio
n M
inis
ter A
nas a
l-Fiq
i dur
ing
the
Ope
ning
of C
onfe
renc
e of
Info
rmat
ion
Min
iste
rs a
t its
Sev
enth
Ses
sion
- Je
ddah
(Oct
ober
200
6)
1575 english 2.indd 132 5/30/10 11:54:33 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 133
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al re
ceiv
ing
HR
H P
rince
Sa>
ud a
l-Fai
sal,
Min
iste
r of F
orei
gn A
ffairs
of S
audi
Ara
bia
– Je
ddah
(Feb
ruar
y 20
06)
1575 english 2.indd 133 5/30/10 11:54:37 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009134
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith th
e Eg
yptia
n Fo
reig
n M
inis
ter A
hmad
Abu
Al-G
haith
–
Cai
ro (N
ovem
ber 2
008)
1575 english 2.indd 134 5/30/10 11:54:43 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 135
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al re
ceiv
ing
the
Secr
etar
y of
Sta
te H
illar
y C
linto
n –
OIC
Hea
dqua
rters
- Je
ddah
(F
ebru
ary
2010
)
1575 english 2.indd 135 5/30/10 11:54:46 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009136
Organization of the Islamic Conference
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Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al in
a m
eetin
g w
ith T
he fo
rmer
US
Secr
etar
y of
Sta
te C
ondo
leez
za R
ice
New
Yor
k (S
epte
mbe
r 200
8)
1575 english 2.indd 136 5/30/10 11:54:51 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
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Conferences of Foreign Ministers
1575 english 2.indd 137 5/30/10 11:54:55 AM
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
1575 english 2.indd 138 5/30/10 11:54:59 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009 139
1st Session (Jeddah - March 1970)
3rd Session (Jeddah - February and March 1972)
1575 english 2.indd 139 5/30/10 11:55:03 AM
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009140
Organization of the Islamic Conference
OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009
32nd Session (Sana’a - June 2005) Televised photo
33rd Session (Baku - June 2006)
1575 english 2.indd 140 5/30/10 11:55:07 AM
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
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34th Session (Islamabad - May 2007)
35th Session (Kampala – June 2008)
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OIC 40th Anniversary 1969 - 2009142
Organization of the Islamic Conference
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36th
Ses
sion
(Dam
ascu
s – M
ay 2
009)
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
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Photos of some ministerial meetings
Islamic Conference of Information Ministers (8th Session – Rabat – January 2009
2nd Session of the Conference of Ministers in charge of Women’s Affairs (Cairo – November 2008)
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Organization of the Islamic Conference
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About OICThe Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is the second largest inter-
governmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various peoples of the world.
The OIC was established pursuant a decision adopted by the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on 12th Rajab 1389 AH/ 25 September 1969 AD, following the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. In 1970, the first ever meeting of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Minister (ICFM) was held in Jeddah. It adopted the decision to establish a permanent secretariat in Jeddah headed by the secretary general. Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is the 9th Secretary General who assumed office in January 2005 after being elected by the 31st ICFM Session.
The first OIC Charter was adopted by the 3rd ICFM Session held in 1972. The original Charter was amended to keep pace with the developments that have unraveled recently across the world. The 11th Islamic Summit held in Dakar in March 2008 endorsed the new Charter, which laid down the objectives and principles of the organization and fundamental purposes to strengthen the principles of solidarity and cooperation among the Member States. Over the last 40 years, the OIC membership has grown from its founding members of 25 to 57 states.
The OIC has the singular honor of galvanizing the Ummah into a unified voice and representing Muslims by espousing all causes close to the hearts of over 1.5 billion Muslims in the world.
The Member States of the OIC face many challenges in the 21st century. To address these challenges, the 3rd Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit held in Makkah in December 2005, laid down a blue print called the Ten-Year Program of Action (TYPOA) which envisages joint action by the Member States, promotion of tolerance and moderation, modernization, extensive reforms in all spheres of activities including science and technology, education, and development of trade. It also emphasizes good governance and the promotion of human rights in the Muslim world, especially with regard to the children’s and women’s rights as well as family values enshrined in Islamic Shariah (Law).
For more details, visit the OIC website at URL www.oic-oci.org Tel: 02-6515222 Fax 02-6512288
P.O. Box 178. Jeddah 21411 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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