After more than a month since the Babri Mosque verdict was issued and weeks since ensuing violent protests in India over the controversial citizenship amendment act, the OIC has finally released a statement expressing concerns over both incidents.
The Islamic body issued a symbolic statement that it has been closely following the recent development affecting Muslims in India, reiterating the safety of the minority, and protection of their holy places in India. It urged India to grant minorities their rights without any discrimination to prevent further tensions across the region.
The statement is rather disappointing and mere tokenism as it would not lead to any concrete action. The 57-member bloc is supposed to be the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavors to safeguard and protect interests of the Muslim community in promoting peace and harmony. Why the organisation has failed to hold a session on these issues along with the situation in Kashmir and human rights violations in India remains a mystery.
The OIC has been unable to resolve the raging issues in the Middle East. In 2012, the body suspended founding member Syria’s membership due to Al-Assad’s violent crackdown. There seems no solution to the ongoing war in Yemen. Many Gulf States boycotted Qatar over political disputes, and relations with Iran remain tense. There is a stalemate over efforts for an independent Palestine state. In such circumstances, one wonders if the OIC is still relevant or just confined to annual sessions.
Saudi Arabia and UAE showed immense displeasure when other countries notably Malaysia, Turkey, and Pakistan made efforts to discuss pressing issues affecting the Muslim world. Efforts were made to undermine the KL Summit and Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohammad had to issue clarifications that the conference was not intended to replace the OIC. Pakistan was even compelled to stay away from the summit.
Mahathir has been the only Muslim leader who has publicly condemned the Indian citizenship act, questioning the necessity of the law as Muslims now risk further persecution. Leaders of other Islamic countries should issue similar condemnations over the events in India without worrying about the diplomatic repercussions.
The OIC has been silent spectator to the atrocities afflicted upon Muslims, be it the Rohingyas in Myanmar, Chinese Uighur Muslims, or the discriminatory practices in the West. The body should face the challenges of the 21st Century to protect the vital interests of the Muslim world and work on the settlement of disputes and conflicts.
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