The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Global Politics

The OIC is the second largest and most voluminous intergovernmental organization in the world, after the UN, with over 57 members on the four continents. Considered as the collective voice of the Muslim world, the OIC aims to protect and sustain the interests of Muslims in order to ensure peace and harmony between the different rights of the world. Established in 1969 in Rabat, upon the Israeli occupation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the OIC aims to preserve and strengthen the ties of brotherhood and peace between its member states, to preserve the legitimate and common goals and interests of the member states, and to respect the right of self-determination. It aims to support the active participation of member states in global political, political, and economic decision-making processes to realize their common interests (www.oic-oci.org).

Although the OIC is a global organization with great potential, it cannot actually fulfill the functions expected of it. Although the structure of the international political system is effective in this process, the problems caused by the institutional structure of the OIC cause this situation. An OIC that has not been able to solve its problems will not be able to listen to the voice of the Muslim world and innocent peoples as it deserves and will not be able to deliver Islam’s messages of justice and peace to the world. What needs to be done is to make strong reforms in the OIC as soon as possible revitalize the Organization and resolve its structural and organizational problems.
Most of the member states of the OIC are under the command and influence of the imperialist and capitalist international great powers. Almost all of its members have endorsed their political power to the USA. It has failed to represent the common mind and conscience of the Islamic world. There are struggles to seize the management, to have a say and to power / leadership within the organization. Additionally, it has problems arising from the structure of the structural, political, financial, and international system. The OIC is incapable of overcoming its own problems. It cannot offer salvation prescriptions in the face of the international problems experienced. The goals, objectives, agendas, and principles of the member states are not clear. It lacks the political, financial and diplomatic power to compete with the nation-state. It has a legitimacy problem. if the OIC, which is often criticized for not being effective enough today, cannot undergo a reform in solving the necessary structural and institutional problems, it will continue to be an international organization representing the Muslim world as “token”.  Considering the role of Konya and the founding father of the Organization, Prof. Erbakan in the establishment the OIC, making the OIC more functional will be a very important element in the economic, political, and cultural development of Konya as well.