Rabat Summit 1969 Catalyst for Muslim Unity and Global Solidarity

The first summit of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Countries) was held in Rabat (Morocco) in 1969 in response to the widespread anger of Muslims regarding the burning of the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The Israeli rebels burned the sacred spot of Muslims, and this caused a rift with Muslims. Thus, all Muslim countries and their leaders came together to decide on the consequences of the incident. The Rabat Summit was a significant event in Islamic history because it was the first time, following the fall of the Ottoman Empire, that the entire Muslim world agreed to meet in a single gathering for a discussion of the current political state of the Islamic world. It was the Rabat Summit which proved that it wasn't just the issue of the Arab world but also concerned with the Islamic world; as Allah declares in the Quran, "All Muslims are brothers." Following the beginning of the Jerusalem issue, the leaders of every Muslim state issued an email to Israel to rethink the decision in favour of the Arabs. The Rabat summit helped to lift the morale of Arabs after their humiliation during the 1967 Arab-Israel War.

The primary outcome produced by this Rabat gathering was to gather together all Islamic nations on one platform to make a decisive decision on the many issues concerning 1,000 million Muslims. We can say the Rabat summit raised Arabs from the ashes. The top brass and stronghold of Islamic nations were able to find a solution to the problem within the shortest period. In the name of security, the decision was made that Jeddah would be the central point of cooperation for some time until Al-Quds (Jerusalem) became free from Israeli occupation. They signed a formal charter that stated they would deal with the Jerusalem issue and engage in an effort united to free Al-Quds from the oppressive rule of Israel. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rehman, the OIC.

Meanwhile, India became a stumbling block to Muslim unity, particularly for Pakistan. Certain Islamic countries had an affectionate view of the Indian presence, but Pakistan believed that it was not an omen, which came to be proven later. Islamic nations also needed to create a broad consensus between Pakistan and India. In the same way, Arab leaders were mainly, and King Faisal was particularly, in support of participation by Indian Muslims. Pakistan was a silent participant initially; however, when India sent a Sikh person to represent India within the OIC, Pakistan rebuked India and other countries. Many countries critiqued the Sikh representative in the OIC of the current Muslims. It was clear that it wasn't the participation of Indian Muslims at the Rabat conference but India that wanted an official seat in the Islamic Bloc to counter Pakistan. Pakistan expressed its displeasure at India's participation in the OIC, as the presence of India as a member of the OIC is an element of Indian foreign policy that creates obstacles for Pakistan. It was a good sign for Pakistan's political leaders to expel India from the Islamic bloc. However, specific points weren't apparent to them, and certain Muslim-majority countries needed an Islamic leader, for instance, in Africa and Bangladesh.

Finally, India was expelled from the Islamic bloc of the OIC, and subsequently, a specific set of requirements was established for admission to the OIC. Fortunately, Pakistan succeeded in due time. Pakistan did not have a semblance of Indian involvement; however, because of a lack of confidence in the Indian government and Indian conspiracy, Pakistan decided that there would never be India to take on the challenge in the Islamic world.

The fact is, the Rabat Conference buried the hatchet between Islamic countries after the fall of the Khilafat. Before that, no summit had been as effective in uniting Muslim leaders on a political platform. The Rabat conference brought cohesion and unity to the Muslim world at a crucial time. All Muslim countries set aside differences to end the Jerusalem issue. This became a symbol of the unity of the Muslim world.