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Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation founded in 1969 has 57 members, 56 of which are also member states of the United Nations, with 51 countries having a Muslim majority. Some member countries, especially in West Africa and South America, such as Guyana, Gabon, Mozambique, Suriname, Togo and Uganda – though with large Muslim populations – are not necessarily Muslim majority countries.[1] A few countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Russia and Thailand, sit as Observer States.
The collective population of OIC member states is over 2.04 billion as of 2025.
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Member states
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Observer states
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Withdrawn
Observer organisations and communities
Observer Islamic institutions
Observer international organisations
Collaborating organization
In 2013, the OIC created a permanent observer mission to the EU. In 2016, the EU accredited a Head of Delegation to the OIC.[23]
Membership attempts
Belarus — Requested observer status in 2010.[note 6][24][25]
Brazil — Requested observer status in 2011.[note 6][26]
Cambodia — Requested observer status in 2022.[note 6][27]
Central African Republic — Requested full membership in 2002.[24][28]
China — Requested observer status in 2012.[note 6][29]
Democratic Republic of Congo — Requested observer status in 2008[30] and full membership in 2011.[25]
Ethiopia — Requested full membership in 2024.[31]
India — India, where Muslims are a very big population had shown an interest in joining the OIC as a member state at the time of its formation.[32] However, it was opposed by Pakistan. India has never made a formal application to join OIC as an observer or as a member state.[33] While India's potential candidacy is supported by some OIC members,[34] 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.[35]
Kenya — Requested full membership in 2011.[note 6][25]
Liberia — Requested full membership in November 2016.[36]
Mauritius — Requested full membership in 2002.[24][28]
Montenegro — Requested observer status in 2013.[note 6][37]
Nepal — Requested observer status in 2008.[note 6][30]
Philippines — Requested observer status in 2008.[note 6][30] 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[citation needed]. In 2009, the country's bid received stronger support and has been advocated by Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates, among others.[38][39][40][41] In 2019, one of the leaders of the MNLF, Nir Misuari, was appointed as a special envoy to the organization.[42]
Serbia — Requested observer status in 2008.[note 6][30]
South Africa — Requested observer status in 2002.[note 6][30]
Sri Lanka — Requested observer status in 2008.[note 6][30]
Ukraine — Requested observer status in 2021.[note 6][43]
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Notes
- Includes Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine, etc.
- Also known as Guinea-Conakry.
- Although the capital of Palestine is Jerusalem, the seat of government of the country is located in Ramallah as the entirety of the city of Jerusalem is entirely controlled by Israel, which considers the whole city to be its capital under the 1980 Jerusalem Law and the occupation of East Jerusalem is not entirely recognized by the international community including the OIC member states; although East Jerusalem is envisioned to be the capital of a future Palestinian state, pending developments of a final peace deal between the two parties. See also the status of Jerusalem.
- Also known as Burkina; formerly referred to as Upper Volta, its official name until 1984.
- Recognised only by Turkey. Under the name "Turkish Cypriot State", it is an observer state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation[12] and the Economic Cooperation Organization. Northern Cyprus is claimed in whole by the Republic of Cyprus.[14]
- Designation changed in 2004[15]
- Egypt, Iran and the United Arab Emirates requested at September 2014's summit of the OIC in New York City that the Turkish Cypriot State not be referred to in the meeting conclusions.[16][17][18]
- OIC SG received the president and foreign minister of Northern Cyprus.[19][20]
- In 2017, Northern Cyprus was represented with its official name "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" for the first time at an OIC conference in Saudi Arabia.[21][22]
- Non-Muslim majorities.
References
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