Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud took the initiative to hold the summit that will examine the overall situation of the Muslim world and explore the most effective solutions to the important issues.

"The objective of the summit is to free the Muslim Ummah from the current state of near paralysis and inaction," said Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan at a press briefing yesterday evening.

Most of the heads of state of the 57-member OIC will attend the summit where Khaleda Zia will lead a 37-member Bangladesh delegation.

The Bangladesh prime minister will have bilateral meetings with some of her counterparts.

The summit will consider a document titled "Draft OIC Ten-year Programme of Action to Meet the Challenges Facing the Ummah in the 21st Century", which has been prepared on the basis of the recommendations of the Preparatory Forum for eminent Muslim scholars held in Makkah during September 9-11, Morshed Khan said.

He said the scholars in three panels had intense and thorough deliberations on (1) Political Affairs and Media, (2) Economy, Science and Technology, and (3) Islamic Thought, Culture and Education.

OIC foreign ministers' meeting on December 6 in Jeddah will precede the Makkah Summit.

The foreign minister said the OIC leaders will discuss setting up of an International Counter-Terrorism Centre as proposed by some member states.

There is also a proposal to change the name of the OIC and its charter considering the number and volume of issues being handled by the organisation.

Besides, steps will be taken to empower the OIC Secretariat, he said.

Replying to a question about repeated bomb blasts in Bangladesh, the foreign minister said, "We cannot call USA, UK, India and other countries as terrorist states after acts of terrorism happening there. So why will Bangladesh be called a terrorist country? Terrorism is now a global trend and all countries should fight against it with united efforts."

"Bangladesh is not a terrorist harbouring country. The government has taken all-out steps to eliminate the terror acts and no mercy will be shown to those involved in the bomb attacks that are launched to kill innocent people and destroy democracy," he added.

Foreign Affairs Advisor Reaz Rahman, Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin and other high officials were present at the press conference.