Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an international organization of Muslim countries based in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. It promotes the interests of member nations and aims to establish closer links between them. There are 57 countries in the OIC. Among them are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Niger, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Muslim heads of state agreed to form the OIC at a meeting in Morocco in 1969. The organization was formally launched in 1971.
One of the OIC’s main goals is to promote Islamic solidarity (unity) and cooperation in economics, politics, culture, and science. Another of its goals is to try to eliminate ethnic discrimination and segregation and all forms of colonialism. It also aims to take measures founded on justice to support international peace and security; to coordinate efforts to protect Islam’s holy places; and to support the struggle of the Palestinians for self-determination in a land of their own. The OIC also supports Muslims in their struggle to protect their dignity, independence, and national rights, and helps promote cooperation and understanding among OIC nations and other countries.
