OIC stands for ‘organization of Islamic cooperation ‘, it was established in 1969 after an attack on Al-Aqsa mosque of Jerusalem. It was established to protect the rights of Muslims and envision the power of Muslim states. Since its formation, it has been playing a good role in solving issues of Muslim member states. It is an organization of 57 Muslim members that is eye-sour for non-Muslim countries. As every coin has two sides, there are also drawbacks of OIC. If we talk about the Kashmir issue, OIC seems a failure.
Moreover, it couldn’t play a praiseworthy role in the Palestinian issue, Afghanistan quagmire, Iraq’s destruction and in many other problems faced by Muslim Ummah as a whole. That is why OIC Is entitled as a toothless tiger. The case of disputed speaks louder about the clear failure of this Muslim organization. Colonel Moammar Gaddafi warned Arab league leaders and all Muslim Ummah in these golden words:
“All other Arab countries would be next after the capture and hanging of former Iraqi president Saddam Husain.”
His demise and brutal killing proved his prediction true. In this article, we will analyze the role of OIC in the resolution of Kashmir issue and response of other Muslim States especially Saudi Arab.
Disputed Kashmir And Role Of OIC
It would be an injustice to say that OIC had never taken any stand against Indian occupation on disputed Kashmir. Whenever it takes stand one way or the other way it is restricted to proceed towards any definite conclusion. The western world has a hold over Arab states; that is why OIC is hindered from playing any decisive role. First and far most steps of OIC was to make a block in1994 which included influential Muslim members like Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, this block could not stand for freedom of occupied Kashmir except Pakistan.
Indeed, OIC is concerned over the situation in Kashmir and always wants its peaceful solution.OIC Secretary General’s Special envoy for Jammu and Kashmir Yousef M Al Dobay during his six days visit to Pakistan said:
“Kashmir and Palestine issues remained on the OIC’s topmost agenda, Muslim Organization Will take all necessary steps to alleviate the sufferings of the Kashmiris and help resolve dispute according to the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Indian revocation of article 370 is also criticized at OIC platform as well. Yap! This is an Islamic Organization and supporter of Occupied Kashmir but, Indian membership in OIC is a question. It’s not true support to prolonged Kashmir issue. India’s membership in OIC contested by Islamabad. During many meetings, OIC leaders eschewed from raising the Kashmir issue.
OIC and Arab League In Resolving Kashmir dispute
It is a heated –debate that why there seems no serious role of OIC and Arab league in resolving Kashmir dispute. Most of the Muslims leaders are of the view that purpose for which OIC and Arab League were formed has failed. Colonel Kaddafi and Saddam both were sole supporters of Muslim unity and wanted to see united Muslim Ummah like Imran Khan who says Muslim ummah Is a farce when Arabs and non-Arabs are backing proxies in Muslim states like in Libya, Yemen and Iraq UAE openly supports Indian presence in Jammu and Kashmir.
It is clear that Arab League and OIC are Failure, they use the faith card only for their own means. If both of these organizations had kept core concerns of the leading organizations aside, occupied Kashmir would be an independent state. Arab world is in deep slumber and never wishes to support the oppressed Muslim brethren. Arab states just dance on the tunes of the western world.
Future Relations Between Pakistan And Arab Nations
First of all, Saudi Arabia acknowledged unique position of Pakistan among Muslim states. Soon after independence of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia signed the treaty of friendship. Pakistan has been supporting the security of Saudi Arabia. From 1970, Saudi Arabia played role of economic partner. This Arab state always invests and supports with financial aid, this helped Pakistan to boost its economy., Appointment of retired Pakistan Army General Raheel Sharif as head of IMAFT (Islamic Military Alliance To Fight Terrorism) is an ample instance to prove good bilateral relations between Pakistan and Arab nation-states. In fact, there are also few reservations in the bilateral engagement along with strong relations based on converging interests.
Pakistan opposes Saudi and Arab relations with India which are getting stronger day by day. Recently, Arab states are largely tilted towards Indian government that is not a good omen in case of lingering protracted Jammu and Kashmir issue. Keeping current foreign policies of Arab nations, India has good politico-and-economic support from Arab nations which would prove fatal for bond of Muslim Ummah.
Critical Analysis
Keeping above facts and figures in view, Saudi Arabia has a dual policy, it is neither opposes Pakistan’s concern regarding occupied Kashmir, nor it takes a bold step to stop brutal killing of Kashmiris at the hands of Indian Army every day. So, it can be analyzed that Saudi Arab would keep on supporting Indian state in political policies and in economic sector more than Pakistan that means OIC also keep on failing in resolution of Kashmir issue. Unless, Saudi Arab supports cause of Kashmir, this issue keeps on lingering.