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Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

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Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation founded in 1969 has 57 members, 56 of which are also member states of the United Nations. Some, especially in West Africa, are – though with large Muslim populations – not necessarily Muslim majority countries. A few countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Russia and Thailand, sit as Observer States, while others, such as India and Ethiopia, are not members.

The collective population of OIC member states is over 1.6 billion as of 2011.

Membership attempts

  •  Belarus - Requested observer status in 2010.
  •  Brazil - Requested observer status in 2011.
  •  Central African Republic - Requested full membership in 2002.
  •  China - Requested observer status in 2012.
  •  Democratic Republic of Congo - Requested observer status in 2008 and full membership in 2011.
  •  India - India, which has the world's second largest Muslim population, had shown an interest in joining the OIC as a member state at the time of its formation. However, it was opposed by Pakistan. India has never since made a formal application to join OIC as an observer or as a member state. While India's potential candidacy is supported by some OIC members, Pakistan's strong opposition and threat to boycott the OIC has effectively led to India's inclusion in the OIC being blocked. The Pakistan Foreign Office has argued that India's inclusion in OIC would violate the rules of the OIC, which require that an aspirant state should not have an ongoing conflict with a member state.
  •  Kenya - Requested full membership in 2011.
  •  Liberia - Requested full membership in November 2016.
  •  Mauritius - Requested full membership in 2002.
  •    Nepal - Requested observer status in 2008.
  •  Philippines - Requested observer status in 2008. The Philippine government has made attempts to join the OIC, but this is opposed by the Moro National Liberation Front, an OIC observer located in the Philippines. The MNLF claims that Philippine membership is unnecessary. In 2009, the country's bid received stronger support and has been advocated by Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates, among others.
  •  Serbia - Requested observer status in 2008.
  •  South Africa - Requested observer status in 2002.
  •  Sri Lanka - Requested observer status in 2008.

    • References

    Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Wikipedia
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