Those who resort to violence and communal conflicts in the name of religion are the enemies of religion, they said.

Haqqani Anjuman organised the 10th universal prayer meeting at the National Press Club in the city to promote peace and harmony for all mankind irrespective of caste and creed.

Although every religion emphasises peace, conflicts over religion are taking place throughout the world, said Communications Minister Nazmul Huda as chief guest.

"God gives us the power of reasoning, but we have misused the power and made the world unstable," he added.

He alleged that a vested quarter is trying to project Bangladesh as a communal country for its own interest.

State Minister for Water Resource Goutam Chakraborty said Bangladesh can never be a communal country as Islam teaches its followers to respect other religions.

Presided over by Advisor to the commerce ministry Barkatullah Bulu, the prayer meeting was also addressed by Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation Chairman Taimur Alam Khandakar, former state minister AK Fayezul Haque, Prof Shamsher Ali and Prof Kazi Nurul Islam.