Mohammad Baqer Khorramshad, head of the Culture and Islamic Relations Organization met with Marc Innes Brown, Australia's ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran and Sheikh Ali Deirani, head of the Cultural and Islamic Center for the Shia saying that the world is in need of moderation and rationalism.
Iranian official in this meeting referred to the created gap between European and Muslim community and criticized the hatred of the western policies spread among Muslim society to be a result of Islamophobia.
He underscored interaction in Muslim society and among Shia to be quite effective in alleviating western Islamophobia.
Mohammad Baqer Khorramshad praised multicultural society of Australia and the active community of the Muslim in this country.
He announced the readiness of the Culture and Islamic Relations Organization to increase different cultural and religious ties including interfaith dialogues, scientific and academic cooperation, holding cultural weeks and foundation of Islamic studies as well as Iranology courses in this country.
Renewal of the agreement for bilateral cooperation in cultural cooperation has been welcome by two sides.
Sheikh Ali Deirani in this meeting reported the general status of the Shia and activities of Imam Ali (AS) cultural center in Melbourne and said, "Muslim community in Australia consists of different denominations of Islam who live in full coexistence."
He said the number of Islamic centers in Australia has increased to five since the beginning of Muslim immigration to the continent in 1994.
Head of the Islamic center in Australia also said that the programs in this center mainly address the Muslim youth ranging from 20 different nations.
Marc Innes Brown, Australian ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, hailed Iran-Australia satisfactory political and economical relations and demanded an expansion of cultural ties between the two sides.
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