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Istanbul summit exposes divisions within Arab world

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit exposed Arab differences and Arab-Islamic tensions, and the reactions to both the OIC summit and the Arab League meetings were similarly pessimistic.

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Leaders and representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states pose for a group photo during an extraordinary meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, Dec. 13, 2017. — REUTERS/Osman Orsal

The extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Dec. 13 exposed a major rift within the Arab world and reflected for the first time a division between the Arab League and the OIC.

The OIC, which was established in response to the arson attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque in 1969, was again meeting to discuss the issue of occupied Jerusalem in the aftermath of the Dec. 6 announcement by US President Donald Trump recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

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