ISTANBUL (Türkiye): Türkiye formally assumed the rotating presidency of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday, pledging to focus on the rights and recognition of Muslim minorities and communities worldwide.
Opening the 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan laid out an ambitious vision for the Islamic world—one grounded in solidarity, shared faith, and a renewed sense of global responsibility.
“We are on the eve of a period in which the Islamic world will play a much greater role but will also assume more responsibility,” Erdoğan said, calling on the 57-member bloc to overcome internal divisions and stand united against oppression.
He underscored Türkiye’s commitment to turning the OIC into a dynamic force for justice, peace, and development, stating that the Muslim ummah must no longer be reactive but lead the global discourse on equality, conflict resolution, and interfaith harmony.
A core part of Türkiye’s OIC agenda, Erdoğan said, would be to prioritise the concerns of Muslim minorities and diaspora communities worldwide—many of whom are caught in identity struggles or systemic discrimination.
“These communities act as vital bridges between the OIC countries and the wider world,” Erdoğan said. “Their problems must be addressed with unwavering solidarity.”
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan echoed the message, affirming that Türkiye would use its term to spotlight marginalised Muslim voices and promote justice globally, particularly in regions where Muslims are oppressed or excluded.
Erdoğan’s address carried a strong condemnation of Israeli policies, accusing the state of destabilising the entire region through its ongoing military campaigns in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and now Iran. He called on OIC members to make their opposition clear to what he termed “Israel’s banditry,” warning that indifference would only embolden such aggression.
“In this meeting of our organisation that represents the voice and conscience of the Ummah, we need to clearly announce our stance against Israel’s policies that have turned the entire region into a fire,” he said.
He expressed sorrow over the persistent divisions among Palestinian factions, urging them to come together in national unity. “It saddens us to see fragmentation among our brothers while the entire Islamic world mobilises in support of Palestine,” he remarked.
President Erdoğan emphasised that unity among Muslims is essential, not just politically but spiritually and historically. Citing cities from Istanbul to Jerusalem, and communities from Turks to Kurds, Sunnis to Shiites, he said: “Our fate is common, just like our qibla.”
He invoked the Quran and Hadith, reminding leaders that “the believers are only brothers” and quoting the Prophet Muhammad: “Two is better than one, three better than two...”
Differences in method or opinion, he said, must not obstruct collective action. “In this critical period, our internal attitudes and divisions must not be allowed to hinder our unity.”
Stronger, more efficient OIC
Under Türkiye’s presidency, Erdoğan promised to enhance the efficiency of the OIC, which he described as the second-largest international body after the United Nations. “We must run this organisation better, make it more efficient, and turn it into a tool for economic and social development,” he said.
He underscored the need for the OIC to become a single pole in a multi-polar world, with the capacity to produce solutions to every challenge the Islamic world faces—from conflict resolution and peace-building to climate action and economic equity.
Erdoğan also highlighted Syria’s return to the OIC as a major positive step, praising the “magnificent victory” of the Syrian people and expressing hope for their reintegration into the global community. He pledged increased Turkish support to help Syria preserve its territorial integrity and achieve lasting peace.
In parallel, he announced Türkiye’s determination to combat Islamophobia actively during its presidency, stressing the need to defend the dignity of Muslims everywhere.
“If we do not take ownership of our own issues with our own common mind and will, we will be serving the interests of others,” Erdoğan warned.
On the sidelines of the OIC session, Erdoğan held a bilateral meeting with UN Alliance of Civilisations High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos. The engagement, attended by Presidential Foreign Policy Advisor Akif Çağatay Kılıç, is part of Türkiye’s broader aim to align the OIC with global peace and dialogue frameworks.
Held under the theme “The OIC in a Transforming World,” the 51st Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Istanbul is being hailed as one of the most broadly attended sessions in OIC history, marking a new chapter of activism, diplomacy, and institutional reform under Türkiye’s stewardship.
As Erdoğan’s call to “close ranks and embrace each other tightly” echoed through the summit hall, expectations rose for a reenergised OIC—one that will not only speak for Muslims but act decisively on their behalf in a changing global landscape.
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