The College of Islamic Studies (CIS), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), was represented by Alina Zaman, Research Assistant, who acted as an official delegate at the 3rd International Model Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) High School Summit in Istanbul, Turkey. Zaman was joined by two high school students from Dukhan English School, Safa Shahzad and Shakira Abdi. 

The theme of the summit, which attracted 224 delegates from 56 OIC member states, was “Establishing Global Peace for a Fairer World”. During the panel sessions, participants reflected upon their history and culture to gain a better perspective of the world prior to solving global issues. 

The high school students took part in a four-day academic simulation of the OIC that aimed to familiarize participants with current developments in international relations, theory, and practice. In the simulation, delegates were assigned the role of a member state representative. Based on the country’s policies they represented in the summit, they were required to contribute to create resolutions to key issues that the OIC is facing. Delegates were allocated the roles of Jordan and Morocco in the simulation. 

Model OIC is the brainchild of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF). ICYF collaborates with various universities and high schools in the OIC member states by providing technical and organizational assistance in designing Model OIC experience. In 2020, ICYF signed an MoU with HBKU. Accordingly, a team from CIS’ Maker Majlis was invited to the summit. Maker Majlis is a platform for young leaders to contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  

Another key partner of the summit was Beyoğlu Education and Culture Foundation. Under its umbrella, the Beyoğlu Anatolian Imam Hatip High School Model OIC Club was established at the beginning of the 2017-2018 academic year in line with the protocol signed between ICYF and Beyoğlu Education and Culture Foundation to jointly organize a Model OIC High School Summit.

The Model OIC is among the 14 youth actions adopted by the 3rd Session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers that was held in Istanbul during October 2016. It was mandated to the ICYF to implement approved projects in the member states of the OIC to enhance the intellectual capacities of the young generation and to raise awareness and promote the OIC as a leading international institution throughout the young community therein.