The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) is a bloc of Muslim countries and was founded in 1969. A total of 57 countries are the member states of the OIC, with 52 of them being the Muslim majority countries. The primary motto of the OIC is the protection of the rights of the Muslims all across the world. It states that it the common voice of all the Muslims countries. Arabic, English and French are the official languages of OIC.
Even though there are a total of 57 countries in the block, some states are considered the most influential members of the block. In this piece, are outlining the largest cities in OIC that certainly have the robust clout.
1.Karachi, Pakistan
Karachi is the biggest city in Pakistan, with a population of 24 million. Given the presence of essential ports, it is also the economic and business hub of the country, and most of the well-reputed corporations have their head offices here. The city was the capital of Pakistan in the beginning, but later on, the status of capital was conferred to Islamabad. The city has an enigmatic charisma and millions of people come here through cheap flight tickets. Its bustling life and the delicious cuisine are among the few reasons why you should visit this city.
2.Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and has a population of 18,898,000. The city is also the sixth-most densely populated in the world. The city is the trade and economic center of the country. The city got dramatic prominence in the 17th century as the Mughals started paying heed to its renovation and development. After the overhaul, the city became the most prosperous one in the Indian subcontinent.
Currently, Dhaka is one of the largest cities by population in OIC. Several conferences of the organization have been conducted here in which various issues faced by the Muslims Ummah were discussed.
3.Tehran, Iran
Tehran is the capital of Iran and has a population of 8.7 million, making it the 24th largest city by population in the world. The city is famous for its skyline, shrines, lush green parks, and the towering skyscrapers. At present, the city is home to the monuments of various civilizations including Niavaran and Golestan. Azadi Tower and the Milad Tower are the most prominent attractions of the city. Tabiat Bridge is also popular among the foreigners as they visit the site to capture the memorable photos. The city is also an important one for the OIC given the Iranian clout over several Middle Eastern countries.
4.Baghdad, Iraq
Apart from being the capital of Iraq, Baghdad is also the second-largest city in the Arab world. Due to the US-led invasion of the country, the city is largely decimated and shattered. Similarly, it also faced severe attacks by the attackers of ISIS who bombed various hotels and the tourist attractions of the city. However, the city is still intact, and the consistent attacks could not annihilate it. In 2018, the city was designated as one of the least hospitable city in the world, implying the quality of life in the city is extremely poor. The continuous war has also taken a heavy toll on the cultural and religious sites of the city.
5.Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, is the most populous city in Turkey. Owning to the various historical landmarks, the city is also the cultural and tourism center of the country. It is basically a transcontinental city that abuts both Asia and Europe. Each year, millions of tourists come here and explore the innate beauty of the city that is depicted by the Blue Mosque, Bosporus Bridge, and the stunning seashores. Significantly, the city has also hosted various conferences of the OIC in which the Muslim leaders tried to ponder over the solutions of Palestine and Kashmir. You can easily come here by booking Turkish Airline flights in advance.
6.Khartoum, Sudan
Sudan has a population of 5.2 million, making it one of the most populated areas in the country. When it comes to the continent, the city is sixth-largest in Africa. The city is divided by the two parts of the Nile River, meaning that the atmosphere of one region of the city is entirely different than the atmosphere of another side. Currently, the city is acting as a major hub for trade and commerce. Terming the city an industrial metropolis would not be an exaggeration given the prevalence of business in the suburbs of Khartoum. Sudan is also a member country of OIC, and that status signifies the importance of this city.
Conclusion
The list provided here is only of six cities. There are also dozens of other cities where the OIC has deep roots. If you want to go to any of the cities mentioned here, you can visit faremakers.com and book the flights in advance.