In the shadow of ongoing massacres in Gaza, foreign ministers from across the Muslim world gathered in Istanbul on Saturday for the 51st session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Though words filled the halls of diplomacy, the blood-soaked reality of over 186,000 Palestinians killed or wounded since October 2023 was the unspoken guest in every room.

Around 40 high-ranking officials and over 1,000 representatives from 57 member states convened in a city far removed from the hunger, rubble, and grief that define daily life in Gaza. Yet, for Palestinians, hope rests on more than formal declarationsit lies in urgent, tangible action that has yet to materialise.

The summit, led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, is expected to address the Israeli aggression not only in Gaza but also the recent escalation against Iran. While President Erdoğan may offer strong rhetoric, many Palestinians remain sceptical, having watched previous promises dissolve into inaction.

The OIC, founded in 1969 in response to the burning of Al-Aqsa Mosque, was born of outrage. Today, its legacy is being tested as Gaza pleads not for statements, but for justice and survival.