WITH a membership of 57 states located across the world, the 54-year-old Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is the second biggest inter-governmental body after the United Nations. The grouping formally recognises itself as the ‘collective voice of the Muslim world.’ Established in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, in September 1969, its core objective is to promote and defend Muslim countries’ camaraderie and cooperation.
Endowed with an estimated 70 per cent of the world’s energy resources, the OIC has a population of about 2 billion. In accordance with its Charter, the OIC strives to preserve Islamic values, safeguard and defend the national sovereignty and freedom of member states, and contribute to global peace, security, and viable development.
However, the OIC has failed to act firmly in responding to contemporary world crises and conflicts for three main reasons. First, lack of a strong and cohesive position; second, festering conflict situations among the member states; and third, persuasion of antagonistic foreign policy.
With the special theme ‘Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development,’ the 15th OIC Summit was held in the Republic of Gambian capital, Banjul, from May 4–5, 2024, and adopted the ‘Banjul Declaration.’
The heads of state and government and foreign ministers of the member nations, along with top-level delegations, participated in the summit. The leaders demonstrated a strong and unified position on the Palestinian question and condemned Israel’s continual atrocities in the Gaza Strip. Up to now, about 35, 000 Palestinians have been killed there.
While inaugurating the summit, Gambian president Adama Barrow observed that the summit is being held in a challenging context marked by a very appalling state of affairs in the Gaza Strip. Barrow urged the OIC member states ‘to chart a new path towards peace and reconciliation’ to address the escalating conflict. The OIC secretary-general, Hissein Brahim Taha, severely condemned the Israeli offensive on Gaza and reiterated the OIC’s unequivocal support and commitment to the Palestinian people.
In his speech, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, reaffirmed his country’s support for Palestine. He called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, safe humanitarian corridors, and the realisation of Palestinians’ legitimate rights — their right to form an independent state. He also voiced dissatisfaction over the failure of the UN Security Council and the global community to stop Israeli assaults on the Palestinians.
Likewise, Malaysian foreign minister Datuk Seri Mohammad Hasan has asked the OIC member states to build up unity in confronting the vital challenges faced by the Muslim world. Hasan underscored the need for working determinedly with other countries in pursuit of four key priority areas in relation to Palestinian problems. These are: (a) establishing an immediate and permanent ceasefire; (b) creating safe and unhindered access for delivery of assistance; (c) ensuring Israel’s accountability for violations of international law; and (d) the right of admission of Palestine as a full member of the UN.
Speaking at the summit, Bangladesh foreign minister Hasan Mahmud also reiterated Bangladesh’s firm support for the Palestinian cause and called for an immediate end to the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza. He also expressed Bangladesh’s gratitude to Gambia for lodging the Rohingya genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, The Hague, in 2019. In addition, Hasan Mahmud invited the member states to provide the necessary legal and financial assistance for conducting the case.
Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, articulated grave concern over Israel’s persistent military violence against the Palestinian people. He also called for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian passages in the besieged territory. Drawing parallels between situations in occupied Palestine and occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Dar deplored India’s illegal actions and reiterated Pakistan’s demand for the execution of the OIC’s Action Plan on Jammu and Kashmir.
Thus, leaders at the Banjul OIC Summit deliberated on some pertinent regional and global issues that impact the Muslim Ummah. These are concisely: (a) the protracted Palestinian issue and ongoing genocide in Gaza; (b) measures to combat Islamophobia; (c) the Rohingya crisis; (d) the rights of the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir; and (e) climate change and food security.
In the ‘Banjul Declaration’ delivered at the close of the Summit, the leaders of the OIC affirmed their solidarity in confronting the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli aggression. This has been continuing for more than six months without respect for the most basic moral and humanitarian values. The member states urged for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
The OIC also called on the countries of the world to take action to stop the crime of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and to implement the protective measures fashioned by the International Court of Justice. It also emphasised the need to speed up the unimpeded delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza and to abandon any policy to dislodge the Palestinian people from their motherland.
In fact, the final communiqué of the summit highlighted the OIC’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their struggle to achieve their inalienable rights, calling on the international community to force the occupying power to abide by international law and UN resolutions and to end its illegal occupation.
The statement also articulated grave concerns about the increasing systematic persecution of Muslims and other minorities in India and pressed the Government of India to take necessary measures to protect their lives and properties.
The OIC leaders also admired The Gambia for its ground-breaking efforts at the ICJ on behalf of the organisation to hold responsible those who committed genocide and massacres against the Rohingya.
The Summit commended Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, and other member states for their pioneering efforts in the UN General Assembly for the adoption of two resolutions in order to ‘combat Islamophobia’ in 2022 as well as’measures to combat Islamophobia’ in March 2024. The approval of the resolutions by the UN is important since there has been a rise in anti-Muslim hatred and prejudice in many parts of the world.
To recap, undoubtedly, the Palestine question has dominated the Banjul OIC Summit. Evidently, the OIC declaration sought to halt Israeli aggression and restore peace through a two-state solution. But the present radically right-wing regime in Israel, led by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is vehemently opposed to the proposed two-state plan.
While the OIC has fruitfully carried out quite a few socio-cultural and economic undertakings, its political power in resolving global conflicts has been rather trivial. Certainly, unity, strong political will, bold responses, and diplomatic engagements are crucial for the OIC member states to effectively address protracted conflicts and disputes among the countries.
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Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed is a former professor and chairman of the political science department at the University of Dhaka.
