Daily Times

The 13^th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aimed at looking into the matters Muslim countries face, discussed contemporary issues and formed policies accordingly. This time the meeting which saw leaders from different countries witnessed soaring ending as Iran’s Khamenei was criticised and blamed for supporting the terror activities across the border. It’s no secret that the member states of OIC face a variety of problems due to the shaky Saudi-Iran relations.

Saudi-Iran relationships barriers

The historical background of Saudi-Iran relationship shows us a picture of bumpy road in many ways. Although both are Muslim majority states, there is this difference of interest. This includes the geo-political issues, oil export policy, and a stark difference in foreign policy when it comes to relations with the United States. The recent execution of Nimr al Nimr further severed the diplomatic ties and the Iranian diplomatic mission was asked to leave the Kingdom of Arabia within 48 hours on that day of Nimr’s execution. There was a massive protest outside the Saudi embassy in Iran.

Thus, considering the hostility, first it remains necessary that instead of having false claims of ensuring peace and stability in the Muslim world both Iran and Saudi Arabia should wash out their differences. The prevailing hostility makes it near impossible for the OIC member states to achieve the set agendas.

Syria issue is a global menace

The BBC reports that more than 250,000 Syrian have lost their lives since the armed conflict began in 2011. More than 11 million have been forced to flee their homes as pro and anti government forces battle each other to dust.

This state of affairs not only portrays the political instability of the Assad regime, but the iota of power of the OIC summit in controlling the grim situation. This has long standing effects; one of the many being the refugee crisis. Although the international law ensures hosting the migrant to all countries, the Syrian refugees have stepped towards the European and western countries. The economically rich and politically stable Muslim countries should have been the first to open the doors. But its a sorry state that oil rich country like Saudi Arabia equates to zero in terms of hosting the Syrian refugees.

The http://syrianrefugees.eu/ website states that an estimated nine million Syrians have fled their homes since the outbreak of the civil war in March 2011, taking refuge in neighbouring countries or in different parts of Syria. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over three million have fled to Syria’s immediate neighbours Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. At least 6.5 million are internally displaced. Moreover, under 150,000 Syrians have declared asylum in the European Union, while member states have pledged to resettle a further 33,000 Syrians. The vast majority of these resettlement spots – 28,500 or 85% – are pledged by Germany.

Mitigation of sectarianism

In the contemporary era many Muslim countries are infamous on account of the sectarian violence. The sectarian violence depicts the absence of tolerance. Secondly it shows the existence of ethnocentrism. The sense of “my faith and sect are the best”. In the context of Pakistan Shia-Sunni conflict is exportable which is unfortunate.

Under these bleak circumstances the formation of an agenda on the basis of equality and humanitarian ground is the need of time. What matters most is the practical implementation and accountability of the states involved.

Equal participation of women

The equal participation of women in all points of states’ affairs be it political, economic, social, cultural or religious is one of the key factors. Those states which have women participants in every respect, is appreciable. And those like Saudi Arabia where even driving isn’t allowed, OIC should discourage certain strictness. Ignoring an integral part of society results in nothing except ignorance. Ignoring women in state affairs means splitting the power of the state in half.

Preservation of minority rights

Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that in those countries where ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities exist, persons belonging to such minorities shall not be denied the rights, in the community with other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion or to use their own language.

As per the international and national law minorities enjoy the protection and rights; nonetheless, practically there is little which matches the standard.

The decades-long deprivation of basic rights to the people of Balochistan and the Easter Sunday Iqbal Park blast are few examples to quote. It’s alarming that a number of Muslim states in many cases are unable to ensure security and safety to their own population.

Promoting science in Muslim countries

There is much space for science in the OIC member states. With the aim of surviving according to the need of the time – learning, teaching and exploring the study of science and technology is a must. In these times of science and information technology there is a little contribution of mindshare from these states, the same states who have produced some of the brilliant minds in the field of science.

The education of science will inculcate the mindset which, on the basis of reasoning and logic, decides and deals with affairs logically and rationally. Reaching that status would mean much for the Muslim world.

With no change in mindset, economic independence, getting the priorities right, and equal women participation, a long term solution is not near in sight for the Muslim world.