Australia's Foreign Minister Invites OIC President to Give National Address against Islamophobia

This week, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has invited Professor Ekmelledin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), to to educate and help Australians overcome "Islamophobia".

Professor Ihsanoglu will participate in a discussion on "Transition and Change: The OIC and the Islamic World."

These events will ake place on 14 and 15 February at the National Press Club of Australia and at Griffith University, Brisbane.

The OIC, which represents 56 states with significant Muslim populations, makes up the largest voting bloc of the UN.

Ihsanoglu arrived on Sunday as the formal guest of Foreign Minister Rudd. He is the first OIC secretary general ever to pay a formal visit to Australia.

The OIC secretary general will meet many Australian executives, particularly Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and discuss relations between OIC and Australia.

During his visit -- will cover Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne -- Ihsanoglu is expected to sign a cooperation agreement with Australia.