S-CAR Hosts the OIC: Conflict Resolution in the Islamic World

On April 11, 2011, the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR), the Center for Global Studies, and the Ali Vural Ak Center for Islamic Studies welcomed HE Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to George Mason University. The OIC is the world’s second largest inter-governmental organization, consisting of 57 member states from across four continents. Ihsanoglu, who previously taught at the University of Istanbul, spoke on “The Role of the OIC in Conflict Resolution: Involving Member States and Muslim Communities.” A large audience of faculty, students, diplomats, international media, and other invited guests participated.

The OIC placed conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and post-conflict peace building at the center of its ten-year program of action, adopted in 2005. In his remarks at S-CAR, Ihsanoglu noted that regional organizations had greater vested interests in resolving conflicts in their own backyards and a better ability to mobilize “home-grown mechanisms” to address the root causes of conflicts. A number of regional organizations, notably the Africa Union and sub-regional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States, have taken on increasingly important roles in peacekeeping. The OIC has particular authority as the largest organization representing 1.6 billion Muslims around the world. It has taken leadership in countering Islamophobia in the West and in promoting tolerance and dialogue. Along with its leadership on behalf of the global Islamic community, the OIC has important roles and authority when a conflict is between communities defined by their relationship to Islam. This is seen in the case of its successful negotiation of the 2006 Makkah agreement to reduce sectarian violence between Shias and Sunnis in Iraq.

Following opening remarks by Dr. Andrea Bartoli, Ihsanoglu was introduced by Dr. Cemil Aydin, Director of the Ali Vural Ak Center for Islamic Studies at George Mason University. Professors Terrence Lyons, Sara Cobb, and Marc Gopin highlighted a series of themes and opened up the discussion following Ihsanoglu’s presentation. The faculty asked about the experiences of the OIC in conflict resolution and in particular whether there were particular characteristics of peacemaking embedded within Islam. The discussants picked up on the Secretary-General’s remark that he always looked for a particular “angle” or entry point to engage in conflict resolution, a framing that differs from the focus on “neutrality” that characterizes much of the literature in the field of negotiations and mediation. As the OIC develops its capacities and commitment to conflict analysis and resolution, S-CAR looks forward to building on these early conversations and deepening our relationship with the organization.