Organisation of the Islamic Conferencesecond largest international (or intergovernmental) organisation after the United Nations with a permanent

delegation to the United Nations, with 57 member states, mostly from the Middle East, North, West and Southern Africa, Central Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and South America, which have decided to pool their resources together, combine their efforts, and speak with one voice to safeguard the interests and secure the progress and well-being of their peoples and of all Muslims in the world

attempts to be the collective voice of the Muslim world (Ummah) and attempts to safeguard the interests and ensure the progress and well-being of Muslims

aims to preserve Islamic social and economic values; promote solidarity amongst member states; increase cooperation in social, economic, cultural, scientific, and political areas; uphold international peace and security; and advance education, particularly in the fields of science and technology

has consultative and cooperative relations with the UN and other inter-governmental organisations to protect the vital interests of the Muslims and to work for the settlement of conflicts and disputes involving member states

OIC Office in Geneva, as a subsidiary organ of the General Secretariat, is a Permanent Observer Mission accredited to the United Nations Offices in Geneva and Vienna as well with the following main duties: 1. to represent the OIC to various meetings within the UN system and other inter-governmental organisations and

Institutions;2. to facilitate activities and coordination of the OIC Ambassadorial groups in Geneva and Vienna;3. to follow, coordinate and promote institutional relations between the OIC General Secretariat, in one side, the

UN system and others international Institutions and NGO’s, in another side.official languages are Arabic, English and French

HistoryOIC was established shortly after the 1967 Arab-Israeli War met in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 12 Rajab

1389H (September 25, 1969) when the First meeting of the leaders of the Islamic world was held in the wake of the criminal Zionist arson of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest shrine of Islam in Jerusalem after Mecca and Medina, on August 21, 1969 in the occupied city of Al-Quds which was perpetrated by an Australian Christian fanatic

The Muslim world took this as an attack on Islam by Israel. The Muslims felt that effective steps should be taken to protect the Muslims from the aggression of the non-Muslim forces. Thus, the formation of OIC with the avowed objective, inter alia, of safeguarding the holy cities of Islam, liberating Jerusalem from the Jewish-dominated Israel and uniting the entire Muslim community.

Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam – adopted by OIC to serve as a guidance for the member states in the matters of human rights in as much as they are compatible with the Sharia, or Quranic Law; provides an overview on the Islamic perspective on human rights, and affirms Islamic Shari'ah as its sole source

Objectives of OIC under its Charter1. enhance and consolidate the bonds of fraternity and solidarity among the Member States;2. safeguard and protect the common interests and support the legitimate causes of the Member States and

coordinate and unify the efforts of the Member States in view of the challenges faced by the Islamic world in particular and the international community in general;

3. respect the right of self-determination and non-interference in the domestic affairs and to respect sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each Member State;

4. support the restoration of complete sovereignty and territorial integrity of any Member State under occupation, as a result of aggression, on the basis of international law and cooperation with the relevant international and regional organisations;

5. ensure active participation of the Member States in the global political, economic and social decision-making processes to secure their common interests;

6. promote inter-state relations based on justice, mutual respect and good neighbourliness to ensure global peace, security and harmony;

7. reaffirm its support for the rights of peoples as stipulated in the UN Charter and international law;8. support and empower the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and establish their

sovereign State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, while safeguarding its historic and Islamic character as well as the Holy places therein;

9. strengthen intra-Islamic economic and trade cooperation; in order to achieve economic integration leading to the establishment of an Islamic Common Market;

10. exert efforts to achieve sustainable and comprehensive human development and economic well-being in Member States;

11. protect and defend the true image of Islam, to combat defamation of Islam and encourage dialogue among civilizations and religions;

12. enhance and develop science and technology and encourage research and cooperation among Member States in these fields;

Principles of the OIC1. All Member States commit themselves to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter;2. Member States are sovereign, independent and equal in rights and obligations;3. All Member States shall settle their disputes through peaceful means and refrain from use or threat of use of force

in their relations;4. All Member States undertake to respect national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of other

Member States and shall refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of others;5. All Member States undertake to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and to refrain

from interfering in each other’s internal affairs as enshrined in the present Charter, the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law;

6. As mentioned in the UN Charter, nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the Organisation and its Organs to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State or related to it;

7. Member States shall uphold and promote, at the national and international levels, good governance, democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

8. Member States shall endeavor to protect and preserve the environment.

Organisational Structure1. Islamic Summit (or Islamic Conference of Kings and Heads of State) – largest and supreme body of the OIC

attended by the Kings and the Heads of State and Government of the member states and convenes every three years to deliberate, take policy decisions and provide guidance on all issues pertaining to the realization of the objectives and consider other issues of concern to the member states and the Ummah; entrusted with defining strategies for the OIC policies and actions

2. Council of Foreign Ministers (or Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers) – meets once a year to consider the means for the implementation of the general policy of the Organisation defined by the Islamic Summit by, inter alia, adopting decisions and resolutions on matters of common interest in the implementation of the objectives and the general policy of the Organisation, and reviewing progress of the implementation of the decisions and resolutions adopted at the previous Summits and Councils of Foreign Ministers

3. Standing Committees – chaired by Kings and Heads of State and Government and are established in accordance with decisions of the Summit or upon the recommendation of the Council of Foreign Ministers and the membership of such Committeesa. Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Committeeb. Standing Committee for Information and Cultural Affairsc. Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Co-operationd. Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural, and Social Affairse. Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Co-operationf. Permanent Finance Committeeg. Financial Control Organh. Ad hoc Committee on Afghanistani. Ad hoc Committee on Southern Africa and Namibiaj. Committee of Islamic Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahelk. Committee on the Situation of Muslims in the Philippinesl. Six-member Committee on Palestinem. Contact Group on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo

4. Executive Committee – comprised of the Chairmen of the current, preceding and succeeding Islamic Summits and Councils of Foreign Ministers, the host country of the Headquarters of the General Secretariat as well as the Secretary-General as an ex-officio member

5. Committee of Permanent Representatives – consists of the ambassadors accredited to the OIC6. International Islamic Court of Justice – principal judicial organ of the Organisation which adjudicates intra-OIC

disputes and, on the reference of the ICFM, provides religious edicts (fatāwa); envisioned to have 7 members elected by the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers

7. Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights – tasked with promoting the civil, political, social and economic rights enshrined in the organisation’s covenants and declarations and in universally agreed human rights instruments, in conformity with Islamic values

8. General (or Permanent) Secretariat – executive and administrative organ of the Organisation, entrusted with the implementation of the decisions of the two preceding bodies; headed by the Secretary-General appointed by the Foreign Ministers Conference for a period of four years renewable once only; located in Jeddah pending the liberation of JerusalemThe Secretary General is responsible to the Conference for their work and submits reports to the Conference on

the execution of his duties.The task of the General Secretariat are divided among general departments headed each by an Assistant

Secretary General, who is responsible to the Secretary General for the functioning of his department.9. Subsidiary organs

a. Executive Bureau of the Islamic Solidarity Fund and its Waqfb. Al-Quds Fundc. Research Centre for Islamic History, Art, and Cultured. Islamic Centre for Vocational and Technical Training and Researche. Islamic Foundation for Science, Technology, and Development (liquidated 1998)f. World Centre for Islamic Educationg. Islamic Centre for the Development of Tradeh. The Islamic Institute of Technologyi. Islamic Civil Aviation Councilj. International Islamic Law Commissionk. International Commission for the Preservation of Islamic Cultural Heritagel. Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countriesm. Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culturen. Islamic University of Technology

o. Islamic Fiqh [Jurisprudence] Academyp. International Commission for the Preservation of the Islamic Heritageq. Islamic University in Nigerr. Islamic University in Uganda

10. Specialized institutionsa. Islamic Development Bankb. Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisationc. Islamic States Broadcasting Organisationd. International Islamic News Agencye. Organisation of the Seats (Capitals) of Islamic Countriesf. Islamic Unity Fund

11. Affiliated institutionsa. Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry b. Organisation of Islamic Capitals and Citiesc. Islamic Solidarity Sports Federationd. Islamic Committee of the International Crescente. World Federation of Arabo-Islamic International Schoolsf. Organisation of the Islamic Shipowners Associationg. Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperationh. International Union of Muslim Scoutsi. Federation of Consultants from Islamic Countriesj. Islamic World Academy of Sciencesk. General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutionsl. Federation of Contractors from Islamic Countriesm. OIC Computer Emergency Response Teamn. Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countrieso. World Islamic Economic Forump. Sports Federation of Islamic Solidarity Gamesq. World Federation of International Arab-Islamic Schoolsr. International Association of Islamic Bankss. Islamic Cement Association

12. Other international institutions with whom OIC has either Cooperation Agreement or Memorandum/Protocol of Agreement/Understandinga. International Committee of the Red Crossb. UN Conference on Trade and Developmentc. UN Development Programmed. UN Department of Technical Co-operation for Developmente. UN Environment Programmef. UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizationg. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsh. UN Population Fundi. UN High Commissioner for Refugeesj. UN Children's Fundk. UN Industrial Development Organizationl. The International Fund for Agricultural Developmentm. World Health Organizationn. World Intellectual Property Organizationo. International Organization for Migrationp. International Telecommunication Union

MembershipMembersNo. Member State Joined Notes1. Afghanistan 1969 Suspended 1980 - March 1989

2. Algeria 19693. Chad 19694. Egypt 1969 Suspended May 1979 - March 19845. Guinea 19696. Indonesia 19697. Iran 19698. Jordan 19699. Kuwait 196910. Lebanon 196911. Libya 196912. Malaysia 196913. Mali 196914. Mauritania 196915. Morocco 196916. Niger 196917. Pakistan 1969 Blocking India from membership

18.Palestine, represented

by the Palestine Liberation Organisation

1969

19. Saudi Arabia 196920. Senegal 196921. Sudan 196922. Somalia 196923. Tunisia 196924. Turkey 1969

25. Yemen 1969 From 1990 as Republic of Yemen united with People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen

26. Bahrain 197027. Oman 197028. Qatar 197029. Syria 197030. United Arab Emirates 197031. Sierra Leone 197232. Bangladesh 197433. Gabon 197434. Gambia 197435. Guinea-Bissau 197436. Uganda 197437. Burkina Faso 197538. Cameroon 197539. Comoros 197640. Iraq 197641. Maldives 197642. Djibouti 197843. Benin 198244. Brunei 198445. Nigeria 198646. Azerbaijan 199147. Albania 199248. Kyrgyzstan 199249. Tajikistan 199250. Turkmenistan 1992

51. Mozambique 199452. Kazakhstan 199553. Uzbekistan 199554. Suriname 199655. Togo 199756. Guyana 199857. Côte d’Ivoire 2001

SuspendedNo. State Joined Withdrawn1. Zanzibar Jan. 1993 Aug. 1993

Observer StatesNo. State Year of Accession1. Bosnia and Herzegovina 19942. Central African Republic 19973. North Cyprus as ‘Turkish Cypriot State’ 19794. Thailand 19985. Russia 2005

Observer Muslim Organisations and CommunitiesNo. Organisation Year of Accession Notes1. Moro National Liberation Front 1977 Blocking membership of the Philippines

Observer Islamic InstitutionsNo. Institution Year of Accession1. Parliamentary Union of the OIC member states 20002. Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation 20005

Observer International OrganisationsNo. Organisation Year of Accession1. League of Arab States 19752. United Nations 19763. Non-Aligned Movement 19774. Organisation of African Unity (African Union) 19775. Economic Cooperation Organisation 1995

Membership attempts1. Indiaits candidacy is supported by some OIC members including Saudi Arabia, but Pakistan strong opposed and

threatened to boycott the OICPakistan Foreign Office argued that India’s inclusion in OIC would be against the rules of OIC, which state that an

aspirant should not have an ongoing conflict with a member state. Moreover, although India is home to more than 175 million Muslims, they form just over 10% of India's total population.

Another factor affecting India's induction into the OIC is the Kashmir dispute. The OIC supports Pakistan’s claim over the entire region of Kashmir.

2. Philippinesmembership into the OIC was opposed by the Moro National Liberation Front because, inter alia, because Muslims

make up only 5% (4.5 million) of its 90 million population in what is a predominately Christian country

Its inclusion in the OIC is supported by, inter alia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Morocco, Libya, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, Turkey, Uganda, Bangladesh and Brunei Darussalam

Note: An OIC observer must be a non-Muslim state with a significant Muslim population but not necessarily the dominant group. An OIC observer country must have Muslim organizations or communities and established Islamic institutions.

The Philippines, home to an estimated 8 million Muslims living mainly in the southern region of Mindanao, belong to the non-Muslim state category.

application for observer status seeks to formalize the effort of the Philippine government to implement economic development and stability in Muslim regions in the country

A Map of member states

Countries in red are member states; countries in yellow are observer states.

Flag

adopted by the OIC in 1981

The center has an upward-facing red crescent enveloped in a white disc. The colors are those of the pan-Arab movement and the inscription in the centre reads “Allah u Akbar” (“God is Great”). The same inscription appears on the flags of Iraq and Irân.

Functions of the OIC Secretary Generala. bring to the attention of the competent organs of the Organisation matters which, in his opinion, may serve or

impair the objectives of the Organisation; b. follow-up the implementation of decisions, resolutions and recommendations of the Islamic Summits, and Councils

of Foreign Ministers and other Ministerial meetings; c. provide the Member States with working papers and memoranda, in implementation of the decisions, resolutions

and recommendations of the Islamic Summits and the Councils of Foreign Ministers; d. coordinate and harmonize, the work of the relevant Organs of the Organisation; e. prepare the programme and the budget of the General Secretariat; f. promote communication among Member States and facilitate consultations and exchange of views as well as the

dissemination of information that could be of importance to Member States; g. perform such other functions as are entrusted to him by the Islamic Summit or the Council of Foreign Ministers; h. submit annual reports to the Council of Foreign Ministers on the work of the Organisation.

Secretaries General of the OIC

No. Name Country of Origin Term1. Tunku Abdul Rahman Malaysia 1971–19732. Hassan Al-Touhami Egypt 1974–19753. Amadou Karim Gaye Senegal 1975–19794. Habib Chatty Tunisia 1979–19845. Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada Pakistan 1985–19886. Hamid Algabid Niger 1989–19967. Azeddine Laraki Morocco 1997–20008. Abdelouahed Belkeziz Morocco 2001–20049. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu Turkey 2005–present

Islamic Summit ConferencesNo. Date Country Place Decisions

1st September 22–25, 1969 Morocco Rabat

1. The incidents of burning of the Masjid Al-Aqsa were discussed.2. Middle East situation.3. Emphasis was laid on the need for maintaining close relations among Muslim countries.

2nd February 22–24, 1974

Pakistan Lahore 1. Middles East problem especially Palestinians issue.2. It was demanded that Israeli troops should be withdrawn from occupied Arab Territory.3. A committee was set up to find ways and means to eliminate poverty, disease and ignorance.4. S.S.C also set up

Muslim Itehad Fund and Islamic Development Bank.

3rd January 25–29, 1981 Saudi Arabia Makkah Al Mukarramah and

Taif

1. The Conference paid special attention to the intervention in Afghanistan, Palestine problems, Jerusalem and Iraq war.2. It was decided to create Islamic Centre for Trade Exchange and to set up an Academy for Islamic Fiqah.

4th January 16–19, 1984 Morocco Casablanca

1. Various international problems like Iran Iraq war, Kashmir Issue, Lebanon problem etc were discussed.2. Decisions were taken for the safeguard of the rights of the Palestine people.3. Decisions about Egypt’s re-entry in the OIC were also taken.

5th January 26–29, 1987 Kuwait Kuwait City

As usual a few resolutions were passed and more or less the same issues were dealt with.

6th December 9–11, 1991 Senegal Dakar

Resolutions were passed on many problems like Kashmir, Afghanistan, Palestine etc. and serious concern was also expressed on American threat of military action against Libya.

7th December 13–15, 1994 Morocco Casablanca

stressed the need for strengthening Islamic solidarity and unity of the Islamic Ummah in an atmosphere of brother hood and concord

1st

ExtraordinaryMarch 23, 1997 Pakistan Islamabad 1. Discussions on the

various problems confronting the Organization of the Islamic Conference in the 21st century were made.

2. A statement was issued on the Jerusalem issue and disputes between India and Pakistan.

8th December 9–11, 1997 Iran Tehran

9th November 12–13, 2000 Qatar Doha

1. The Conference had a wide-ranging discussion and consultation on issues and challenges faced by Islamic countries in the political, economic, social and cultural fields, the Palestine-Israel conflict, the present situation in Palestine, the Iraq question, the strengthening of solidarity among the Islamic countries and removing differences.2. Some consensus were reached on these questions.

2nd

Extraordinary March 5, 2003 Qatar Doha

10th October 16–17, 2003 Malaysia Putrajaya

An agreement was made to start concrete efforts in restructuring the OIC mainly in four aspects: structure efficiency, methodology, increase financial ability and human resources.

3rd

ExtraordinaryDecember 7–8,

2005 Saudi Arabia Makkah Al Mukarramah

It accommodated those efforts referred to in the 10th conference and compiled them into the Mecca Declaration and OIC 10 Years Program of Actions which stresses the reformation and restructuring process of the OIC, also formulating the new OIC Statute which is planned to be carried out by the year 2015.

11th March 13–14, 2008 Senegal Dakar 1. It produced the new OIC Charter emphasizes OIC commitment to explore

alternative means of cooperation not only in the realms of politics.2. It also produced the Final Communiqué which highlighted issues on politics, security, Palestine, Moslem minorities such as Kosovo, terrorism, economy, social cultural issues, law, and information technology.3. Resolutions have also been produced in issues pertaining global security: Resolutions on the Cause of Palestine, the City of al-Quds Al Sharif, and the Arab-Israel Conflict, Resolutions on Political Affairs, Resolutions on Moslem Communities and Minorities in Non-OIC Member States

12th 2011 Egypt Cairo

Some Conventions of OIC1. General Agreement for Economic ,Technical and Commercial cooperation among member states of the

Organization of The Islamic Conference2. Agreement for the promotion, protection and guarantee of investment among member states of The Organization

of the Islamic Conference3. Framework Agreement on Trade Preferential system among the member states of the Organization of The Islamic

Conference4. Protocol on the Preferential Tariff Scheme for TPS-OIC5. TPS-OIC Rules of Origin6. Statute for the Islamic Civil aviation Council7. Statute of Islamic States Telecommunication Union8. Statute for the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic countries9. Covenant on the rights of child in Islam10. OIC Convention to Combat Terrorism (1999-1420H)11. Agreement on Immunities and privileges for The Organization of The Islamic Conference

Some Controversial Issues Involving OIC1. Israel/Palestine

The conference used its influence within United Nations to push for the controversial 2009 Goldstone report on the status of Gaza that accuses Israel of major human rights abuses. The OIC also continues to push for greater access to Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.

The May 2010 Turkish-sponsored flotilla incident, in which Israeli forces raided a ship attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza, has also been heavily criticized by OIC members. Egypt had aided the blockade by also closing its border to Gaza with little public criticism from OIC countries. Following the flotilla incident, Egypt opened its border for the first time to allow shipments of non-medical aid and food.

2. Human Rights

In 2010, Freedom House, a U.S.-based international human rights and democracy watchdog, listed nine OIC member countries among the worst human rights violators in the world, including a few that sit on the UN Human Rights Council.

The OIC also is pushing a resolution on the defamation of religions within the HRC, which has an emphasis on protecting Islam from being insulted or stereotyped as a religion of terrorism. Advocates say such action is needed to combat growing Islamophobia.

The defamation resolution is an offshoot of the disagreement over the definition of human rights by Islamic countries. The UN adopted a universal declaration on human rights in 1948, but the OIC adopted its own Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam in 1990. The UN universal human rights declaration, for example, recognizes the right to change religions, but the Cairo declaration does not. All rights in the Cairo declaration are to be read and understood through sharia law—which does not allow conversion from Islam.

The OIC has been criticised for diverting its activities solely on Muslim minorities within majority non-Muslim countries but putting a taboo on the plight, the treatment of ethnic minorities within Muslim-majority countries, such as the oppression of the Kurds in Syria, the Ahwaz in Iran, the Hazars in Afghanistan, the Baluchis in Pakistan, the 'Al-Akhdam' in Yemen, or the Berbers in Algeria.

3. Terrorism The OIC adopted the Convention on Combating International Terrorism in 1999, but defining terrorism has been

a struggle for the conference. The Convention defined terrorism as “any act or threat of violence carried out with the aim of, among other things, imperiling people’s honor, occupying or seizing public or private property, or threatening the stability, territorial integrity, political unity or sovereignty of a state.”

Following a 2002 meeting, OIC ministers rejected the idea that Palestinian suicide bombers should be considered terrorists because of their struggle against Israeli occupation.

In 2008, Human Rights Watch, noting that international law prohibits attacks against civilians no matter the circumstances, asked the OIC to amend its definition of terrorism to clarify that its condemnation of terrorism makes no exemptions, even if in the name of causes that OIC member states endorse.

Permanent Observer Missions of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to the UN in Genevaestablished to help further improvement of solidarity and coordination among OIC member States

Objectives:1. to consolidated the spirit of solidarity among the members states;2. to enhance the Group’s potential by the involvement of their ambassadors and experts in negotiations and decision

making process;3. to coordinate the position and views of the OIC countries and harmonize their positions in the different foras and

International meetings of the UN Agencies and specialized institutions;4. to contribute, as cross-regional Group to international decision making process5. to increase the effectiveness of the work of the OIC Missions aimed at promoting efficient cooperation and

coordination among Members States on issues concerning Muslim Ummah

Some keys factors in advancing the objectives: 1. Maintaining a clear vision on the work of the OIC Group

The principles and goals enshrined in the OIC Charter, the guidance of the OIC conferences; and the indicative spirit of the Group, materialized through its dealing with United Nations Agenda in Geneva constitutes the main component of the vision. In addition, resolution n° 40/30-P of the 31ICFM, entitled “Adoption by the Islamic States of a Unified Stand at International For a” also serves as a directive on Various aspect of the Group’s activities including defining mandates and scope of work as well as setting priorities and submitting of recommendations.

2. Active and closer coordination Outputs of the established mechanism of the Group for coordinating on 5 thematic issues of UNOG which are:

human rights and humanitarian issues; economics and trade issues; social and related issues; technology issues and disarmament issues, could manifest in joint statement and initiatives at various conferences and for a in Geneva with great contribution to the credibility and influence of the Group.

3. Follow up, review and evaluation

Joint endeavors of the Chairman and coordinators in determining appropriate follow-up measures for decision of the Group as well as, timely reporting on their implementation would have a reassuring impact on maintaining consistency within the Group. Occasion such as the transfer of the Group’s Chairmanship; visits by the Secretary General or other relevant dignitaries; and the conclusion of important meetings, like the general Conference, are appropriate times for reflection of the Group on its performance

Functions of the UN Observer Missions:1. following all matters of interest to the Islamic Conference at the United nations and reporting to the headquarters in

Jeddah;2. supporting activities and coordination of the informal group of the OIC member states at the U.N.;3. maintaining close contacts with the UN Secretariat and other International Organisation in Geneva and Vienna;4. creating, maintaining and strengthening working relations with the UN specialized bodies and institutions as well as

others International organisations in Geneva and Vienna; and5. creating, maintaining and strengthening contacts with member states accredited to the UN in Geneva, Vienna and

Paris (UNESCO)

OIC Groups in Vienna and UNESCO (Paris)composed by the 52 members States which have Permanent Representation accredited to the United Nations

Office in Geneva, 3 Observers States and 4 Observers from international organisationsOIC Delegation in Geneva is accredited to the United Nations Office in Vienna (UNOV) since 1992UNOV, established since 1980, is serving as liaison Office with permanents missions, and governments,

intergovernmental and non governmental organisations in Viennaworking closely with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which is associated with the UNOV,

and is participating also in the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), located in ViennaOIC members represented in Vienna have created in 2005 an OIC Group in Vienna functioning as the OIC Group

in Geneva, aiming to collaborate and to strengthen the position of the OIC States while dealing with the issues (crime, terrorism, corruption, drug control, etc.) or with other issues of common interest related to the work and activities of the UN Offices and other organisations based in Vienna

holds monthly Ambassadorial Meeting on the first Tuesday of each Month to discuss the OIC and UN Agenda and matters of common interests among the members States

The Chairman of the OIC Group convenes the meeting and timely distributes, through the OIC Office in Geneva the Agenda of the meeting to the Members States. A report issued after each meeting is circulated among the OIC Members States and a copy is send to the OIC Secretary General in Jeddah for information, as well as to the OIC Office in New York for matter of coordination with the OIC Group in New York.

The Chairman can convey additional meeting, at Ambassadorial or expert level if needed and according to the Agenda of the UN and other international Organisations and specialized Agencies to facilitate the process of decision-making.

OIC Group in UNESCO has been established since 2005 to strengthen the OIC cooperation between OIC and UNESCO and achieve the

common goals in term of socio-economics, cultural and scientific development and to face challenges in the field of education, illiteracy and knowledge

protecting the holy site in Jerusalem and elsewhere, promoting intercultural dialogue and cultural diversity, combating islamophobia are among its main objectives

OIC Group (Vienna and UNESCO) CompositionOIC Group Chairmanship – The Chairman of the Group is the representative of the Country which has Chairmanship term of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.OIC Group Coordinators – elected at the first Ambassadorial meeting following the ICFM’s annual Conference

Until the next ICFM, the Coordinators of the OIC Group in Geneva are: a. Republic of Pakistan – Coordinator on Human rights and humanitarian issues b. Islamic Republic of Iran – Coordinator on Economic and Development issues c. Republic of Algeria – Coordinator on Disarmament and related issues d. Republic of Tunisia – Coordinator on Information, Technology and ITC’s related issues

e. Republic of Senegal – Coordinator on Social and related issues

Sources:Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, http://www.arabhumanrights.org/publications/regional/islamic/cairo-

declaration-islam-93e.pdf (last accessed Jan. 24, 2010).Cavalli, G., The New Organisation of the Islamic Conference Charter, 1 Perspectives on Federalism 29 (2009),

http://www.on-federalism.eu/attachments/016_download.pdf (last accessed Jan. 24, 2010).Charter of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, http://www.oic-oci.org/is11/english/Charter-en.pdf (last

accessed Jan. 24, 2010).Clapano, J., RP closer to becoming observer-state in Organization of Islamic Conference, May 29, 2009,

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=472375&publicationSubCategoryId=205 (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).

Convention of the Organisation of The Islamic Conference on Combating International Terrorism, The Twenty-Sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, July 1999, Annex to Resolution No: 59/26-P, http://www.ciaonet.org/cbr/cbr00/video/cbr_ctd/cbr_ctd_25.html (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).

Cultural Aspects, http://www.mfa.gov.tr/organisation-of-islamic-conference.en.mfa (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).Jannaral, J., MILF opposes government’s bid for OIC observer status, Manila Times, May 22, 2009,

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/may/22/yehey/prov/20090522pro1.html (last accessed Jan. 24, 2011).

Johnson, T., The Organisation of the Islamic Conference, http://www.cfr.org/publication/22563/organisation_of_the_islamic_conference.html (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).

Organisation of the Islamic Conference, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Organisation_of_the_Islamic_Conference&oldid=405209878 (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).

Organisation of the Islamic Conference, http://www.oic-oci.org/home.asp (last accessed Jan. 24, 2010).Organisation of Islamic Conference -O.I.C, http://www.guesspapers.net/1844/organisation-of-islamic-conference-o-i-

c (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), http://www.deplu.go.id/Pages/IFPDisplay.aspx?

Name=MultilateralCooperation&IDP=4&P=Multilateral&l=en (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).Organisation of Islamic Conference (O.I.C), http://notes-for-students.blogspot.com/2010/06/organisation-of-islamic-

conference-oic.html (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).Organisation of the Islamic Conference – OIC, http://www.arab.de/arabinfo/oic.htm (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).Pearson Education, Inc., Organisation of the Islamic Conference,

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/oicstates1.html#ixzz19v9AINzP (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).Qidwai, M., Organisation of Islamic Conference – Vision for 2050,

http://www.ilaam.net/Opinions/OICVisionFor2050.html (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).The Organisation of the Islamic Conference, http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/gjhdq/dqzzywt/2633/2634/t15538.htm (last

accessed Jan. 2, 2011).The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) – One Page Summary,

http://www.fimcivilsociety.org/f/library/OIC_Overview_and_Analysis.pdf (last accessed Jan. 24, 2011).Sheikh, N., THE NEW POLITICS OF ISLAM: PAN-ISLAMIC FOREIGN POLICY IN A WORLD OF STATES (2003).Upadhyay, R., Organisation of Islamic Conference – A Saudi-Dominated Coalition of Islamist Politics?, Paper no.

3831, May 27, 2010, http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers39%5Cpaper3831.html (last accessed Jan. 2, 2011).