Dialectics of faith and global governance: The vision of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

The concept of Islamic unity has long been a focal point of discourse within Muslim societies, sparking profound deliberations on the feasibility of fulfilling this divine mandate. This dialogue has significantly influenced the establishment and evolution of institutions such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a 57-member intergovernmental body grounded in Islamic principles. The OIC's primary mission is to represent the collective voice of the Muslim world, safeguard its interests, and promote international peace and harmony among diverse global communities. This study investigates the complex process of integrating an Islamic institution into the broader ecosystem of international organizations, focusing on how the OIC navigates its role as an Islamic institution within the global framework of intergovernmental organizations. It examines the OIC's stances on foundational issues, its commitments, and the strategic narratives it adopts to sustain its legitimacy and advance Islamic unity in international diplomacy. As an organizational ethnography, the research aims to illuminate the challenges and opportunities inherent in advancing Islamic ideals within the realm of international politics. To investigate the OIC's positioning within the realm of international diplomacy, this study employed a critical discourse analysis methodology toward a comprehensive examination of official documents, speeches, and reports produced by the OIC and proponents of the international system. By systematically analyzing the language, themes, and rhetorical strategies present in these texts, the study reveals the underlying ideologies and dynamics that inform the OIC's Islamic discourses. In probing these questions, this inquiry not only revealed the ongoing dialectical evolution that characterizes the OIC but also provided nuanced insights into the interplay between Islamic unity, international diplomacy, and the quest for legitimacy in the contemporary global landscape.