Saudi-based group of Muslim states changes name

Riyadh: The Organisation of the Islamic
Conference, an umbrella organisation representing 57 Muslim
nations, says it has changed its name to better reflect the
group`s international role.

A statement from the Saudi-based group says it will
henceforth be known as the Organization of the Islamic
Cooperation. It will retain the same acronym OIC.

OIC says the members` foreign ministers endorsed the
change of the name during a meeting in Kazakhstan`s capital,
Astana, today.

OIC was established in Morocco in 1969 at an Islamic
summit of 25 Muslim countries "to safeguard and protect the
interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting
international peace and harmony among various people of the
world."

PTI