By REEM AL-HAKEEM, ARABNEWS

It can be an effective instrument of peace and economic development

Carnage and turmoil in some Arab countries, famine in Somalia, Gazans under siege and Al-Quds under threat from Israel, terrorist bombings in Pakistan and Afghanistan, natural disasters in Indonesia, poverty and power struggle in some African countries, anti-Muslim sentiments in the West — the list goes on and on of Muslims’ grievances. And always there is a call for the only international body representing the Muslim world and supposedly bringing it together for common causes and interests to act.

“Where is the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (formerly Organization of the Islamic Conference)?” is the most common question. “Why is it not acting to save and protect as it was intended to when it was established over 40 years ago?”

The answer is usually, that it is a useless organization which has not been able to do anything for Muslims throughout its history.

The calls are justified and the demands for action are valid, but the conclusion is unfair.

The changing of the name itself from Conference to Cooperation, which was adopted in June 2011 at the 38th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), is an indication of the shift in paradigm and reorientation of approach that has been taking place since 2005.

Any keen observer and follower of OIC’s news would have surely noticed that it does respond to developments happening in its member states and on issues concerning Muslims, within its mandates and means. A few examples: It acted swiftly after the Israeli attack on the humanitarian flotilla to Gaza and was instrumental in the issuance of a condemnation by the UN Human Rights Council and the formation of a fact-finding mission by the UN which came out with the Goldstone Report; it launched an orphan-adoption program for tsunami-affected children in Indonesia and donation campaign for flood-ravaged Pakistan and now for famine-stricken Somalia; it set up a $10 billion poverty-eradication fund that will implement projects and develop programs for job-creation and building capacities; and it is in the process of establishing an organization for women development. In the 38th session of the CFM in Kazakhstan this last June, it was decided to establish an OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission, a milestone achievement for the OIC.

During its 40 plus history the OIC has established many subsidiary, specialized and affiliated institutions including the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), etc., and they have all been very active in their fields.

Political matters are more complicated but the OIC has been involved in mediations for peace and reconciliation in many different countries, defending Muslim minorities’ rights, and cooperating with the international community on issues of concern for the benefit of Muslims. At the recent CFM, a brainstorming session was held on the sidelines under the theme of “Consolidating Political Stability and Economic Development in the Muslim World”. The participants highlighted the vital linkage between the need for the member states to ensure political stability and socioeconomic development. They recognized the need for political reform, good governance, human rights, rule of law, democracy, inclusive political participation, education reform, women and youth empowerment as well as employment and job creation, eradication of poverty and economic reform. Such discussions show that there is awareness of people’s needs and reaction to current events, but that is certainly not enough. People want action and tangible results.

The average person would be hard-pressed to recount an OIC act that had direct impact on him. It makes no difference to them that intra-OIC trade had increased from around 14 percent to about 17 percent in the past five years. What does that mean in practical terms of jobs and investments? What does it mean that scientific research in some Muslim countries has doubled or tripled? What impact will the OIC Executive Framework for Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Security have on feeding their families? How are the efforts to “combat Islamophobia” affecting their quality of life in the West? How is the OIC-US mother and child health projects helping their health care or the OIC Water Vision providing them with clean water?

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