Watch part twoThe Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) - second only to the UN in size and area of operation - is about to turn 40 but very little is known about it.This programme will ask if this organisation speaks for Muslims, and whether its contributions warrant that role.
The organisation has been criticised by many Muslims for their lack of real engagement and solid solutions toward Muslim countries in crisis.In light of Barack Obama's speech to the Muslim world in Cairo, and signs that efforts are being made to bridge the gap between the Muslim world and the US, the role, reach and ability of the OIC will be put under the microscope.We will examine the OIC's achievements and failures, and look at whether the organisation remains relevant today or whether it is time for it to change into an effective voting block in international forums such as the United Nations. The challenge still remains to bridge the gap between the ideal and the actual, to act rather than react and to be relevant rather than verified.OIC: 40 Years of frustration can be seen from Sunday, October 25, 2009 at the following times GMT: 2030; Monday 1230; Tuesday 0600; and Wednesday 0130.