Three-day Muslim Congregation Ends in Bangladesh - 2004-12-05

More than two million Muslims from around the world have ended their three-day annual prayer for global peace and harmony outside the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka.

At the congregation that began in make-shift tents, Islamic scholars recited verses from the Koran, saying the holy book is against violence and promotes peace.

Reports from Dhaka say some 5,000 Islamic scholars from 67 countries participated in the annual event known as the Biswa Ijtema. It is the biggest Muslim gathering after the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The scholars urged Muslims to follow the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad, who renounced violence in all forms to establish peace among warring clans of Arabia.