They said Islam believes in tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The International Islamic Conference for World Peace was organised by the Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (Saw) at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.

"There is no place for terrorism and fundamentalism in Islam," said Moudud Ahmed, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

Speaking as chief guest Moudud said, "In the present global context if Muslims start to think that the war on terror was a war against Islam, the consequences would be disastrous."

Former Army Chief Lietenant General (Retd) Nuruddin Khan, chief advisor of the institute, said, "Islam continues to suffer mostly at the hands of the misled followers and misinformed detractors."

He said any deviation from the point that Islam "Stands for promotion and protection of peace" would be "A negation of the tenets of Islam."

Ahmed Farid, former ambassador and secretary, proposed a stronger UN, specially a more influential Security Council, to prevent further "illegal wars".

Daoud Rosser-Owen, president of the Association for British Muslims, said, "There cannot be peace without justice."

The conference was moderated by the President of the institute Major General (Retd) Syed Md Ibrahim.

Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Palestinian Ambassador Md Shahta Zarab, Pakistani High Commissioner Manzar Shafiq, Chairman of the Bangladesh Islamic Council Moulana Md Aminul Islam, Editor of the daily Inqilab AMM Bahauddin, and Editor of the daily Nayadiganta Alamgir Mahiuddin also attended the conference.