OIC at the crossroads

The first two issues are too important to avoid specific actions while the election of the Secretary General is expected to be based on the necessity to choose a person capable of steering the organisation effectively amid a global turbulence involving many Muslim nations and the US in particular. An AFP report aptly pointed out the intricacies of the situation, saying, 'The summit takes place at a time when the US and some of its allies think they're waging war against terrorism while many Muslim nations perceive US military actions as a war against Islam.'

It is indisputable that Muslims around the world find their lives and liberties in danger: two Muslim countries are under Western occupation while a 'siege syndrome' circumscribes lives of Muslims everywhere due to US military presence all over the Islamic world and threats to Iran and Syria in particular. The OIC must rise to the occasion to address and meet all these challenges. The organisation stands at the crossroads and it ought to display courage and leadership.

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A summit like this will produce nothing specific unless the structure and the mandate of the organisation are reconstructed, despite the joint declaration likely to embody concerns of member states on Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, globalisation, public private partnership and the creation of a common market.

The importance of the OIC lies in its unique stature as the largest global body after the UN. It also represents nearly one-fourth of global population. Of much importance is the clout of its oil producing countries that play pivotal roles in determining global oil prices within and outside the OPEC.

Apparently, the members had attached a top priority to economic issues as a meeting of the 'Business Forum' preceded the formal inauguration on Thursday. Bangladesh PM made a keynote speech in the Forum and called for the creation of a common market among the member states.

With respect to Iraq, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said, "There must be an end date for Iraq occupation, which is better than an open ended situation." The US seems unwilling as yet to heed to such a call. It beseeches a tough stand from all members.

The final declaration's draft is also reported to have urged for more UN involvement in Iraq as there seemed no unanimity on sending troops unilaterally by any member state on US' behest. Given that Israel has a carte blance from the US to hit its neighbours with impunity,, the declaration will condemn Israel's unprovoked attack on Syria.

And, despite many member states having 'unique' bilateral agenda to deter them from taking tough stances against the US with respect to Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine, their attitude must change now. Meanwhile, the politics revolving the candidacy of the next Secretary General is making the Bangladesh delegate walk on a tight rope.

Malaysia and Turkey have fielded their own candidates for the OIC top post and Dhaka thinks it is unfair for Malaysia to hold three top posts of the secretariat simultaneously. There is, however, a strong momentum among many members to put Mahathir Mohamad on the OIC mantle upon retiring as the Prime Minister of Malaysia this month. Mahathir's leadership is relished by many at this critical juncture of the Ummah's history.

"Muslims were humiliated and oppressed" said Mahathir in the summit, referring not only to the Palestinian situation, but to what he sees as the West's use of war on terror as a pretence for war against Islam. The Turkish consent to send troops to Iraq has undercut its prospect for the top post.

The summit also witnessed a bickering over the Iraqi delegation representing the US nominated interim council. The Iraqi delegation's reported insistence on the insertion of tough words in the resolution against the ousted Saddam regime, despite some members having raised objections to the delegate's legality to represent Iraqi people, complicated the situation further.

Our expectations, however, is pinned on the leaders' arriving at a consensus to strive for an expeditious withdrawal of the US- led forces from Iraq, and, to impress upon the UNSC that the occupation of Iraq and Israel must end through collective action by the UN, pursuant to the Charter. Such an unambiguous stand will increase the OIC's credibility and make the organisation a force to be reckoned with.