The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has recently raised concerns on what it describes as the escalating trend of Islamophobia in India. The international body has urged the Indian government to take steps to protect Muslim minorities who are allegedly being discriminated against and subjected to violence during the Covid-19 pandemic.
OIC and its Concerns
The OIC has called upon the Indian government to safeguard the rights of its minority Muslim population, in line with its obligations under international human rights law. The OIC has also appealed to the government to take immediate measures to curb the growing wave of Islamophobia – defined as dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims – in the country.
A religious gathering of Muslims, namely the Tablighi Jamaat, took place in Delhi in March. The event has been connected to numerous Covid-19 cases in India. Consequently, several media sections and individuals on social media placed blame on the Tablighi Jamaat and Muslims for intentionally spreading the Covid-19 virus in India.
Earlier Criticisms by USCIRF
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) previously voiced criticisms about India concerning “increased stigmatisation” of their Muslim minorities. The USCIRF reported allegations of religious segregation of Covid-19 patients at a hospital in Ahmedabad. According to the USCIRF, India remains a “tier 2 country of particular concern” since 2009. Tier 2 countries are those where violations, either committed or tolerated by the government, are serious and typified by at least one of the elements of the ‘systematic, ongoing, and egregious’ Country of Particular Concern (CPC) standard. CPCs are designated by the US State Department.
However, the Indian government has refuted all allegations made by the USCIRF, accusing the commission of disseminating misleading reports on the professional medical protocols followed in India to deal with the spread of Covid-19.
About the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the largest intergovernmental organisation after the United Nations, boasting a membership of 57 states. Considered the collective voice of the Muslim world, the OIC strives to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world while promoting international peace and harmony among different people worldwide. It was established at a historical summit held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on September 25, 1969, and its headquarters are located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
OIC and India
India is not on the membership roster of the OIC. However, India was invited as the guest of honour at the 46th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in 2019, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the OIC. This invitation marked a high point in the often strained relationship between New Delhi and the OIC.
Nevertheless, in recent months, the OIC has consistently criticised the Indian government’s handling of the situation in Kashmir and the reported attacks on Muslims. India’s external affairs ministry has dismissed these criticisms.
About U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. The commission’s headquarters are based in Washington DC.
