In a powerful address at the opening of the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan placed Africa at the heart of the Islamic world’s future, stating:
“Africa’s voice is our voice. The powerful voice rising from Africa today signals a multi-centered revival across the Islamic world.”
The summit, held in Istanbul under the theme “The Organization of Islamic Cooperation in a Transforming World,” comes amid major global shifts and pressing regional crises — including the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and instability across the Sahel.
Fidan described Istanbul as “an ancient city where the hopes of our shared future are reignited,” and offered gratitude to The Cameroon for its leadership during the previous term. He emphasized Türkiye’s determination to lead with a vision grounded in justice, solidarity, and global equity.
“We believe our organization has a crucial role to play in ensuring that Africa secures the global position it rightfully deserves,” Fidan stated. “As Türkiye, we will work to elevate the voice of the Islamic world and stand firm against all forms of injustice.”
OIC: A Continental Platform with African Roots
Africa’s importance within the OIC is not symbolic — it is structural. Of the 57 member states of the OIC, 27 are African countries, with one additional African country serving as an observer member. This makes Africa the largest regional bloc within the OIC.
Many observers increasingly regard the OIC not just as an Islamic platform, but as a pan-African institution as well — one that reflects the continent’s demographic, spiritual, and political weight in the Muslim world.
Delegations from Somalia, Senegal, Niger, Sudan, Djibouti, Chad, and others were present in Istanbul, actively shaping the summit agenda. Key African priorities included equitable development, peacebuilding, and global governance reform.
Towards a Multipolar Islamic World
Fidan’s remarks and the strong African presence at the summit signal a growing multipolarity within the Islamic world, where African voices are no longer peripheral but central to the global Muslim narrative.
The 51st OIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting continues through 22 June 2025, with sessions focused on geopolitical crises, humanitarian cooperation, and building resilience across the Global South.