OIC Secretary-General Congratulates Member States on Ramadan

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha extended his congratulations to Muslim nations across the world on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan 1446 AH, in a message released through the Saudi Press Agency from the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah. The message, issued on February 28, 2025, conveyed warm wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the leaders of all OIC member states, and Muslims everywhere.

The annual Ramadan greeting from the OIC’s highest office carries significance well beyond ceremonial courtesy. It reflects the organization’s founding purpose of fostering solidarity among its 57 member states and reaffirms the central role the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plays as host of the OIC’s permanent secretariat in Jeddah. For international observers, the message offers a clear window into how the Muslim world’s largest intergovernmental body frames the holy month: as a period of spiritual renewal, humanitarian urgency, and collective responsibility. How does a single Ramadan message connect millions of believers across continents? The answer lies in the institutions and traditions that the Kingdom has long stewarded.

Context and Background

What makes the OIC’s Ramadan message more than a routine diplomatic gesture? Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Jeddah, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is the second-largest intergovernmental organization in the world after the United Nations, representing more than 1.8 billion Muslims across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Its secretary-general serves as the organization’s chief diplomat, speaking on behalf of a membership that spans from Indonesia to Morocco. When that office issues a Ramadan greeting, it reaches governments, religious authorities, and communities in dozens of countries simultaneously.

The timing of the 1446 AH message places it at the start of one of the most spiritually significant periods in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is observed through fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayer, charitable giving, and acts of compassion. In Saudi Arabia, the month brings a distinctive rhythm to daily life, with the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah receiving millions of worshippers and pilgrims seeking to perform Umrah during the sacred season. The Kingdom’s custodianship of these sites gives its Ramadan messaging particular weight across the Islamic world.

Secretary-General Taha’s message also arrives amid a period of intense regional and global engagement by Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has positioned itself as a convenor of dialogue, a provider of humanitarian aid, and a driver of economic modernization through Vision 2030. Within that framework, the OIC’s Ramadan appeal for solidarity aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s broader emphasis on stability, development, and interfaith and intra-Islamic cooperation. The message is therefore both a spiritual greeting and a signal of the Kingdom’s continued institutional leadership.

Key Details of the Secretary-General’s Message

What exactly did the OIC Secretary-General convey to member states and Muslim communities? In his statement, Hissein Brahim Taha prayed to Allah Almighty to bestow blessings and peace upon the Muslim nations during Ramadan, expressing hope that the holy month would lead to the end of crises and conflicts in various parts of the Islamic world. He extended his congratulations specifically to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the leaders of OIC member states, and all Muslims worldwide, ensuring that the greeting reached both official channels and ordinary believers.

The Secretary-General also used the occasion to highlight Ramadan’s core values of goodness, compassion, and solidarity. He called for extending a helping hand to those in need, explicitly including people suffering in refugee and displaced persons camps. This humanitarian emphasis reflects the OIC’s longstanding work in humanitarian affairs and its coordination with Saudi relief agencies, which are among the largest providers of assistance to displaced communities in the region. The message thus linked spiritual observance directly to practical charity.

Taha further expressed deep sorrow and concern about the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip, which he noted has suffered due to the brutal Israeli aggression for over a year and four months. He also voiced concern over continuous crimes and assaults in the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. His remarks echoed positions consistently articulated by Saudi Arabia and the broader OIC membership, which have called for the protection of civilians and the preservation of the historical and legal status of Jerusalem’s holy sites.

International and Regional Impact

How does the OIC’s voice shape the international conversation during Ramadan? As the collective platform of 57 member states, the organization amplifies positions that individual governments may express separately, giving them added diplomatic weight. When the Secretary-General speaks about Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, his words are received in capitals across the Muslim world, at the United Nations, and in humanitarian coordination bodies. The Ramadan message therefore functions as both a spiritual address and a diplomatic communiqué.

The humanitarian dimension carries particular resonance during the holy month, when charitable giving traditionally peaks. Saudi Arabia has long been a leading donor of humanitarian aid through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, which operates in multiple countries and regions affected by conflict and displacement. The OIC’s call to remember those in refugee and displaced persons camps aligns with these efforts and encourages member states to increase their own contributions. For international audiences, this underscores the Kingdom’s role as a stabilizing and generous actor in regional affairs.

At the same time, the message reflects the OIC’s commitment to Islamic unity and dialogue. By addressing all member states and Muslims worldwide, the Secretary-General reinforces the idea that Ramadan is a shared experience that transcends national borders, sectarian differences, and political disputes. In a world where divisions often dominate headlines, this emphasis on compassion and solidarity offers a constructive counterpoint and supports Saudi Arabia’s vision of a more stable and cooperative region.

Economic and Strategic Significance

What does Ramadan mean for the economic and strategic landscape of Saudi Arabia and the wider region? The holy month brings a distinct economic cycle, with increased consumer spending on food, gifts, and charitable donations, alongside adjusted working hours and a surge in religious tourism. In Saudi Arabia, millions of Umrah performers travel to Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan, supporting the Kingdom’s tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors. This seasonal activity forms part of the broader diversification drive under Vision 2030, which aims to expand non-oil revenue streams.

Strategically, the OIC’s Ramadan messaging reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as the heart of the Islamic world. The Kingdom’s custodianship of the Two Holy Mosques is a source of immense soft power, and the OIC’s presence in Jeddah links that spiritual authority to a permanent diplomatic institution. When the Secretary-General congratulates the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, he acknowledges the Kingdom’s unique role in facilitating worship, pilgrimage, and Islamic cooperation. This recognition strengthens Saudi Arabia’s standing as a reliable partner for governments and international organizations alike.

The message also highlights the intersection of faith and development. Ramadan values of compassion and solidarity parallel the social objectives of Vision 2030, which include enhancing quality of life, supporting families, and empowering communities. By calling for aid to those in need, the OIC echoes the Kingdom’s own humanitarian commitments and its emphasis on responsible global citizenship. For businesses and investors observing the region, this alignment signals continuity and stability during a period of rapid transformation.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does the OIC’s Ramadan message connect to Saudi Arabia’s long-term vision? Vision 2030, launched under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seeks to diversify the economy, strengthen international partnerships, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for diplomacy, tourism, and investment. The OIC, headquartered in Jeddah, is a natural partner in that endeavor. Its Ramadan message underscores shared values of compassion, solidarity, and peaceful coexistence, which resonate with the Vision’s emphasis on a vibrant society and a responsible international role.

Moreover, the Kingdom’s efforts to facilitate Ramadan worship, expand pilgrimage capacity, and support humanitarian relief are concrete expressions of Vision 2030’s goals. The ongoing expansion of the Two Holy Mosques and improvements to pilgrimage infrastructure reflect a long-term commitment to serving Muslims worldwide. As the OIC Secretary-General’s message makes clear, Ramadan is a time for reflection and generosity, but it is also a moment when institutions like the OIC and nations like Saudi Arabia demonstrate their enduring commitment to the well-being of the global Muslim community. In that sense, the greeting from Jeddah is both a blessing and a blueprint for continued cooperation.

20 Questions

Q1. Who extended congratulations to Muslim nations on the occasion of Ramadan 1446 AH?

A1. Organization of Islamic Cooperation Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha extended the congratulations through a message released by the Saudi Press Agency from the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on February 28, 2025.

Q2. Which Saudi leaders did the OIC Secretary-General specifically congratulate?

A2. He congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, along with leaders of all OIC member states.

Q3. What did Secretary-General Taha pray for during Ramadan?

A3. He prayed to Allah Almighty to bestow blessings and peace upon the Muslim nations during Ramadan, expressing hope that the holy month would lead to the end of crises and conflicts in various parts of the Islamic world.

Q4. What values did the Secretary-General emphasize for Ramadan?

A4. He emphasized that Ramadan is an opportunity to practice values of goodness, compassion, and solidarity, encouraging Muslims to extend a helping hand to those in need, including people in refugee and displaced persons camps.

Q5. Which region did the Secretary-General express deep sorrow and concern about?

A5. He expressed deep sorrow and concern about the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip, which he noted has suffered due to brutal Israeli aggression for over a year and four months, and he also voiced concern over assaults in the occupied West Bank.

Q6. What did the Secretary-General say about Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque?

A6. He expressed concern over continuous crimes and assaults in the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, echoing the OIC’s consistent calls for the protection of holy sites and respect for their historical status.

Q7. Where is the OIC headquartered and why does that matter?

A7. The OIC is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which matters because it reflects the Kingdom’s central role in hosting and supporting the largest intergovernmental organization of the Muslim world.

Q8. How many member states does the OIC represent?

A8. The OIC represents 57 member states spanning Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, making it the second-largest intergovernmental organization in the world after the United Nations.

Q9. Why is Ramadan significant for Saudi Arabia specifically?

A9. Ramadan is significant for Saudi Arabia because the Kingdom hosts the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, which receive millions of worshippers and Umrah performers during the holy month, reinforcing the Kingdom’s spiritual leadership.

Q10. How does the OIC’s Ramadan message align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A10. The message aligns with Vision 2030 by promoting compassion, solidarity, and international cooperation, values that support the Kingdom’s goals of a vibrant society, a diversified economy, and a responsible global role.

Q11. What humanitarian impact does the OIC’s call for aid have?

A11. The call encourages member states and Muslims worldwide to support people in refugee and displaced persons camps, complementing Saudi Arabia’s own humanitarian efforts through agencies such as the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.

Q12. How does the OIC Secretary-General’s message reach ordinary Muslims?

A12. The message is distributed through official channels such as the Saudi Press Agency and OIC communications, allowing it to reach governments, religious authorities, media outlets, and communities in dozens of countries simultaneously.

Q13. What economic activity does Ramadan stimulate in Saudi Arabia?

A13. Ramadan stimulates increased consumer spending on food, gifts, and charity, along with a surge in religious tourism as millions perform Umrah, supporting the Kingdom’s hospitality, retail, and tourism sectors under Vision 2030.

Q14. Why is the OIC’s voice important in international diplomacy?

A14. The OIC’s voice is important because it represents 57 member states collectively, giving its positions added weight at the United Nations and in global discussions on humanitarian and political issues affecting the Muslim world.

Q15. What role does Saudi Arabia play in the OIC?

A15. Saudi Arabia plays a foundational and hosting role, as the OIC was founded in 1969 and maintains its permanent secretariat in Jeddah, with the Kingdom consistently supporting the organization’s mission of Islamic solidarity and cooperation.

Q16. How does the OIC message reflect Islamic unity?

A16. By addressing all member states and Muslims worldwide, the Secretary-General reinforces that Ramadan is a shared experience transcending national borders and differences, promoting unity and collective responsibility across the Islamic world.

Q17. What did the Secretary-General say about crises in the Islamic world?

A17. He expressed hope that Ramadan would lead to the end of crises and conflicts in various parts of the Islamic world, reflecting the OIC’s ongoing commitment to peace, dialogue, and reconciliation among member states.

Q18. How does Saudi Arabia facilitate Ramadan worship for millions?

A18. Saudi Arabia facilitates Ramadan worship through extensive pilgrimage infrastructure, crowd management systems, and continuous expansion of the Two Holy Mosques, enabling millions of worshippers and Umrah performers to observe the holy month safely.

Q19. What is the significance of the Ramadan 1446 AH timing?

A19. The 1446 AH timing marks the start of a spiritually significant month in the Islamic calendar, a period of fasting, prayer, and charity observed by Muslims worldwide, making the OIC’s message timely and widely relevant.

Q20. What overall message did the OIC Secretary-General convey?

A20. He conveyed a message of congratulations, compassion, and solidarity, urging Muslims to practice goodness and charity, remember those in need, and pray for peace and an end to conflicts in the Islamic world.

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