Daily Times

The problems of Palestine and Kashmir are still alive and unresolved despite elapse of more than seventy years. Thepeople of these two lands are sacrificing their lives andhave been denied from their legitimate rights. But their voice is weak and lack solid support of the Muslim countries as they are divided into camps and groups.Thus their representative organization has lost its importance and global attention.

According to one source total Muslim population is 2.2 billion which form 23% of entire global population. The Muslim countries are located on strategic situation on the banks of the Indian Ocean and continents of Asia and Africa etc. The Muslim countries have natural resources in the Middle East and Central Asia and various countries including world powers need such resources for keeping their life going on. The Muslim countries have physical possession of these resources but they seem unable to take full benefit.

The voice of Muslim countries has lost its efficacy due to various reasons. Consequently, their representative body i.e Organization of Islamic Cooperation has become almost inactive and half dead.

Journey of OIC began from Rabat when first summit meeting of the Muslim countries was held in 1970. Pakistan hosted second summit in 1974. Fourteenth Islamic Summit was held on 31st May 2019 in Makka, Saudi Arabia. It was held after period of three years.

After about fifty years of Rabat Declaration the situation is changed and it seems that Israel is getting itself at the helm of affairs of the gulf region gradually. It may influence the Arab countries on their stand and decision on the problem of Palestine

It is said that after the United Nations, OIC is the second largest organization of the world representing fifty seven Muslim countries. First OIC charter was adopted in 1972. The Article 1 of the Charter of the organization deals with its Objectives and Principles. These include to promote inter-state relations based on justice, mutual respect and good neighborliness to ensure global peace, security and harmony and to promote and defend unified position on issues of common interest in the international fora.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation has not played momentous role in subsidizing tension between the member countries. Probably the member countries have looked to other corners for cooperation and resolving issues instead of discussing on the platform of OIC.

The organization has various challenges. These include but not limited to Palestine issue, Kashmir problem, Arab-Iran row and exploitation of natural resources of the Muslim countries and disunity etc. Now new rising storm is getting birth in shape of entry of Israel in the Persian Gulf. It is located in the Arabian Sea. Eight countries border the gulf which includes United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.

The Persian Gulf is important from economic and strategic point of view. Various countries including Japan etc import oil from the region. The region is volatile as two “adversaries” i.e. Saudi Arabia and Iran are located there. The U.S and Iran are not on good terms since 1979 when revolution took place led by Ayotullah Khomeini.

The situation in the gulf may take new turn after signing “Abraham Accord” between Israel and United Arab Emirates on 13th August 2020. Latter is first country of the gulf which has made agreement and thus probably it may prove entry permit to Israel for playing its role for its interests in the gulf.

The relations between Iran and Israel are not on normal terms. Signing of agreement between UAE and Israel may further aggravate the situation. Peace in the gulf may get set back. Moreover, tension between Iran and Arab countries may augment and deteriorate the overall situation of the Gulf. It is said that other Arab countries of the gulf are also thinking on following footsteps of the UAE.

By signing agreement with the UAE, Israel has got indirect access to OIC and may influence its decisions which may endanger organization’s interests. It may affect the cause of Palestinian people though, according to one report, Israel has postponed annexation of West Bank territory. It is postponement and not withdrawal.

The Muslim countries supported Palestinians against Israel.The Declaration of first Islamic Summit held in 1969 in Rabat Morocco provided, “We reiterate the fact that the Palestinian Cause occupies a central position within our concerns and our Union’s advocacy work, just as it does concerning our countries and people; and we assert our solidarity with the Palestinian people towards the recognition of their legitimate rights in establishing their independent state with Al-Quds as its capital, in conformity with the relevant UN resolutions, and we condemn, in the strongest terms, the practices of the Zionist occupation authorities against the Palestinian people;… Condemning Israel’s daily aggressions and violations against the Palestinian people, we call upon the UN and its Specialized Agencies to provide the necessary protection for the Palestinian people and their cultural and architectural landmarks in the Occupied Territories, and to work towards securing the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and lifting the iniquitous blockade imposed on the Palestinian people;”

After about fifty years of Rabat Declaration the situation is changed and it seems that Israel is getting itself at the helm of affairs of the gulf region gradually. It may influence the Arab countries on their stand and decision on the problem of Palestine. Other Muslim countries may also feel handicapped of deciding a matter on the platform of OIC which has directly or indirectly implications on Israel.

The writer is an author and has a doctorate in Political Science