OIC-Organisation of Islamic Conference/Cooperation:History and goals

 History and goals of OIC

OIC-The Organisation of Islamic Conference is one of a large Islamic organization in the world.This organization consisting of 57 member states of the world.(OIC; Arabic: منظمة التعاون الاسلامي‎; French: Organisation de la Coopération Islamique (OCI)) is an international organisation consisting of 57 member states. The organisation 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.

The OIC has a permanent delegation to the United Nations, and is the largest international organisation outside of the United Nations.The official languages of the OIC are Arabic, English, and French. It changed its name on 28 June 2011 from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (Arabic: منظمة المؤتمر الإسلامي‎; French: Organisation de la Conférence Islamique) to its current name.

History and goals of the Organization of the Islamic Conference

The flag of the OIC (shown above) has an overall green background (symbolic of Islam). In the centre, there is an upward-facing red crescent enveloped in a white disc. On the disc the words "Allahu Akbar" (Arabic for "God is Great") are written in Arabic calligraphy.

On August 5, 1990, 45 foreign ministers of the OIC adopted the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam 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.

Since the 19th century, some Muslims had aspired to ummah to serve their common political, economic, and social interests. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the Caliphate after World War I left a vacuum for a pan-Islamic institution. Losing the Arab-Israeli War provided the incentive needed in 1967. Leaders of Muslim nations met in Rabat to establish the OIC on September 25, 1969.

According to its charter, the OIC 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.

On 24 February 2009, the International Zakat Organization in cooperation with the Organization of the Islamic Conferences announced the selection of the BMB Group to head up the management of the Global Zakat and Charity Fund, with its CEO Rayo Withanage becoming the co-chairman of the zakat fund. The fund is expected to contain 2 billion ringgits in 2010, about US$650 million.

Members

The Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation has 57 members, 56 of which are classed by the United Nations as member states. Some, especially in West Africa, are - though with large Muslim populations - not necessarily Muslim majority countries. A few countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Russia and Thailand, sit as Observer States, while others, such as India and Ethiopia, are not members.

Permanent Mission of the Organization of the Islamic Conference

Since its inception on 25 September 1969, the OIC has acquired a rich experience in the international scene and more precisely within multilateral institutions. Representing 57 member States, the OIC has a considerable weight within these institutions where it makes others listen to the voice of the Islamic Umma and presents the image of moderate Islam, tolerant, open to dialogue and bearing the message of peace, harmony and solidarity between men. It is on this note that the OIC works towards the promotion of Human rights, cooperation between States and peoples and access to modernity for the Umma within the respect of their cultural and civilizational values.

The office of the OIC's action, falls within this framework and is the representation of the General Secretariat to the United Nations offices in Geneva and Vienna. It is also the Secretariat of the group of OIC member States in these two capitals and assumes the role of observer to all organs within the United Nation system, to other international organisations and NGOs as well.

The activities of the OIC and its representation in Geneva and Vienna are transmitted via this website which I hope meets the demand for useful and up to date information, requested by all those interested in the actions of the OIC.