"This is high time that the Ummah coordinate its activities under the umbrella of the OIC and use the organisation as a conduit for advancing its political and economic agenda," she said in a message on the eve of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Day.

"The Ummah is now passing through difficult times. Islam is under attack despite its enduring message of peace and justice. Many Muslim communities around the world have become victims of political, economic and cultural discrimination," she observed.

She pointed out that OIC, as an umbrella of the Muslim world, has played a very vital role in advancing the causes of the Islamic Ummah and ever since her membership to the Organisation, Bangladesh has remained active in the OIC.

The prime minister, however, said reform is the crying need to make the organisation strong enough to face the challenges it confronts. She hoped that the reform would make the organisation more vibrant and effective.

She recalled the commitment of late President Ziaur Rahman to the OIC. "Under his dynamic leadership, Bangladesh has played an important role within the framework of the organisation," she said.

Begum Zia renewed Bangladesh's commitment to work together with other member states to overcome all the odds confronting the Ummah and to work for closer cooperation and "understanding among us."

"Let the fourth observation of the OIC Day regenerate our hopes for a better future for the Muslim Ummah and give us courage, strength and determination to meet the challenges of the day," she said.