The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, this evening 10 March 2010 leaves for London on an official visit to the United Kingdom in response to an official invitation from the British government.

During the visit, Secretary General Ihsanoglu will hold meetings with senior British officials, notably the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband. The meetings would witness discussions on bilateral relations, British-Muslim world relations and how to counter the growing trend of Islamophobia in Europe, a situation that is a source of concern for the Muslim world. The talks would also feature the situation in Afghanistan, Somalia and the rising disturbances in Nigeria, among other issues of common concern.

This visit will be an occasion to discuss means of strengthening and developing the existing relations between the United Kingdom and the OIC in the interest of peace and security in the Muslim world.