Muslim world to create civil society aid unit

The world's largest bloc of Islamic countries says that 14 non-governmental organisations have pledged $300,000 dollars to establish a new office that seeks to improve international coordination to assist Muslims affected by natural disasters and wars around the world. It marks the first time that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation opens its doors to civil society organisations to join the group. The OIC has 57 Muslim-majority member states and has traditionally only represented governments through its work. OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Atta El-Manan Bakhiet told The Associated Press Tuesday the new office will be established in the OIC's Jiddah headquarters in Saudi Arabia.