Indonesian Muslims reject US invite

Moderate Islamic leaders in Indonesia have rejected an invitation from the United States Congress to attend a prayer breakfast.

Hasyim Muzadi, the chairman of the largest Islamic organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama, said he and the leader of the second largest group, Muhammadiyah, would not be attending because of a possible American attack on Iraq.

He said a joint prayer session for world peace was no longer relevant.

Mr Muzadi said a US decision to make Indonesian nationals register with immigrations officials when they are in America was also a factor in their decision not to attend.

The event takes place in the first week of February.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service