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MERICAN Journal of Public Diplomacy and International Studies
www.
 grnjournal.us 
 
organization. Muslim religious leaders are sanctioning ideologically the functioning of the OIC, 
increasing its prestige among the broad masses of those who are religious. Developed and 
implemented by the principles of international Islamic solidarity with the Islamic religious 
positions, it gives a theological explanation for mobilizing policy support to OIC from the 
masses of believers in more than 60 countries, what allows to present a united front 
(Sheryazdanova & Smagulova). But in spite of all that, the interests of Saudi Arabia are 
represented
more powerful in this organization than the interests of other countries (Kayaoglu, 
T., 2013.). Leadership in this organization gives more soft power than hard, according to some 
scholars, the leader of the OIC could serve as a role model for other members of the 
organization, and also the voice of a leader will act as the voice of the Muslim world before the 
world powers. 
Despite all advantages, one need declares, that there is no united, recognized leader in Muslim 
world nowadays, although such countries as KSA, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan are putting 
forward the positive image of Muslim leader. Those countries are limiting only to their own 
vision of all-Muslims problems and follow only their own interests. In this context the interests 
of Saudi Arabia are to create the explanation of the word 
Ummah
, or “Muslim world”. For SA 
Ummah
is a strictly religious term, which is a part of its foreign policy.
The OIC is the perfect 
place for the Kingdom
to spread their religious orthodoxy (Kayaoglu, T.). For the Saudis, their 
foreign policy consists of the 
Ummah
, which means that the presence of the OIC will be a very 
important direction, because this organization today has no analogues in the coverage of all parts 
of the Muslim world. 
Saudi Arabia was behind the establishment of the OIC, being the most important member of this 
organization for all time of its existence. The location of the bodies of the OIC in Saudi Arabia, 
budgetary investments of the Kingdom and its historical legacy made this country a de facto 
veto-power of the OIC. Historically, KSA has used the OIC to legitimize the Saudi regime in the 
eyes of the Saudi population and the 
Ummah
. The Kingdom has always sought to limit the 
growing influence of other States within the OIC. Saudi Arabia was behind the establishment of 
the OIC, being the most important member of this organization for all time of its existence. The 
location of the bodies of the OIC in Saudi Arabia, budgetary investments of the Kingdom and its 
historical legacy made this country a de facto veto-power of the OIC. Historically, KSA has used 
the OIC to legitimize the Saudi regime in the eyes of the Saudi population and the 
Ummah
. The 
Kingdom has always sought to limit the growing influence of other States within the OIC. 
Also, KSA has always tried to keep religion and economy in the focus of the OIC, rather than 
consideration of political and military issues, because religion and economy has been 
determining the leading role of the KSA in the world. Of the 3,000 decisions and resolutions 
adopted by the OIC in recent years, only 10% were implemented, and most part of the decisions 
(90%) is not implemented (Mozharova, V., 2015.). During all the history of existence of the 
organization and its institutional mechanisms, military conflicts between Iran and Iraq,
Iraq and 
Kuwait have not been resolved, has not been provided substantial assistance in the resolution of 
the Algerian-Moroccan, the Sudan-Egyptian border and territorial conflicts, military-political 
situation in Afghanistan, Iraq, the territorial issues between Iran and the UAE, Iran and Bahrain 
(Auelbaev, B., 2016.). 
The cause of ineffective operation of the organization can be called the very different views and 
positions of leading states and the basic perception of other centers of the Muslim world. There 
is no common position among the member states of the OIC, because instead of the ideas of 
unity and cohesion many members are trying to follow their political and economic interests. 
From time to time, when Saudi-Iranian relations have been experiencing its best periods, Saudi 
Arabia has tried to use OIC in its own interests. For example, in 1987, during Haj, as a result of 
protests and clashes of Saudi and Iran pilgrims, 400 people were killed, mostly Iranians 
(Kayaoglu, T.). Then, in 1988, at the summit of foreign Ministers of the OIC a resolution, 
condemning the actions of the Iranian pilgrims and regarded their actions as violation of the 

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