UPSC Prelims 2007 · General Studies
Question 3: International Relations and Current Affairs
Where are the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) located?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Organisation of Islamic Conference, founded in 1969, has its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is the collective voice of the Muslim world, with over fifty member states. Jeddah is its seat; Dubai is only a commercial city of the UAE, and neither Islamabad nor Ankara hosts the secretariat. In 2011 the body was renamed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Dubai is a UAE city; the OIC secretariat is not there.
- (b) Correct: the OIC secretariat is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- (c) Islamabad is Pakistan's capital and has hosted summits, but is not the headquarters.
- (d) Ankara is Turkey's capital; the OIC is not headquartered there.
Worth knowing: The body was renamed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in 2011, though its headquarters is still Jeddah.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2007, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.