OIC: giving due credence

Though the OIC is criticised for not delivering on promises, it has made tremendous achievements over the years

On 22 March, 2022 – on the eve of 82 years of the passage of the Pakistan Resolution – Islamabad is set to host the 48th meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers. The theme for this year is ‘Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development’ which fittingly encapsulates the OIC’s mandate for the conference which among other objectives includes discussions on provision of humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan, combating Islamophobia, deliberations on the plight of the Palestinians and Kashmiris and recovery in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The OIC was founded more than half a century ago and belted as the collective voice of the Muslim Ummah. Its prime objective has always been to safeguard and ensure Muslim economic and political interests and help appease and alleviate challenges faced by the Muslim community. The basic doctrine is that the ideological commonality among its members supersedes any differences member states may have. The OIC stands as a beacon of hope for the Muslim world, the single platform where they can raise their concerns and have no fear of being denied their due rights.

Even though the OIC is criticised for not delivering on its promises, circumventing optics and, if viewed holistically, the OIC has made tremendous achievements over the years. Through its subsidiary organs, the organisation encases, under its broader umbrella, various institutions that specialise and target various issues of concern for the Muslim Ummah. Examples include the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF) and COMSTECH, which is the ministerial standing committee for scientific and technological cooperation and is chaired by the President of Pakistan.

As is human nature, high expectations have been attached to the OIC. What needs to be understood is that the OIC has limited political means. Yes, it is not living up to its pledges at the moment. But nonetheless, it would be wrong to entirely discard it.

The world is entering a new phase where multipolarity is on the rise and former enemies are now becoming allies. Amidst these rapprochements, the OIC has an opportunity to make significant contributions.

In the economic avenue, the OIC has huge potential in energy and trade cooperation especially given the emerging energy crisis. As it has in the past, the OIC can use its leverage to resolve energy crisis and form channels within the organisation where rich resource member states can help poorer counterparts stay afloat. Further convergence on political agendas would be incremental in making the organisation stronger and more effective. There are complementarities among member states where they can assist each other. Voids in poorer member states can be plugged in from resource rich member states. There must also be greater collaboration with civil society.

Over the years, Pakistan has been closely engaged in supporting cooperation amongst member states and advocating for equitable solutions for various issues faced by the Muslim community. In 1974, Pakistan played a leading role in enabling the PLO to get observer status at the UN. Recently, as a result of Islamabad’s untiring efforts, the UNGA declared March 15 as the international day to combat Islamophobia.

Last year, Pakistan also hosted the 17th extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the situation in Afghanistan during which Pakistan proposed a framework to help resolve the ongoing humanitarian crisis. In view of the level of engagement that took place during the extraordinary meeting, without doubt, Pakistan’s diplomatic output is commendable.

Undoubtedly, international catastrophic events have shed light on the structural weaknesses and abilities of multilateral fora such as the UN. Hence, the OIC must be careful not to become another elitist club.

In the face of adversity, a collective approach is the need of the hour and it is hoped that the upcoming 48th OIC CFM will be able to translate rhetoric into actions.

If anything, the efforts towards countering Islamophobia are evidence that persistence in the right direction always pays off.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2022.

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