MORE than 20,000 anti-war demonstrators took to the streets of Manchester as opposition to conflict with Iraq remained strong.

The Manchester demonstration ended opposite the Town Hall in Albert Square where thousands braved the bad weather to listen to anti-war speeches from the likes of George Galloway MP.

Manchester councillor Afzal Khan said it was wonderful to see so many people of all backgrounds attending the march.

He said, "It was heartwarming to see so many people turn out in such appalling weather. It was a peaceful march and it shows the depth of feeling of people living in the region.

"With regards to the war, there is a risk of casualties on both sides and I feel this country is just getting tagged along in another nation's agenda. "

Earlier the Muslim Association of Britain handed in an open letter to the Prime Minister Tony Blair stating the war would have far reaching consequences on the British Muslim population.

It said, "We must say, however, that while the 2.5 million strong Muslim community in Britain has been controlled and disciplined ... it has been the Government and its policies at home and abroad, that have been lacking of such sense of responsibility, and seemingly oblivious to the potential tensions, divisions and gaps that such policies, actions and statements create within our society."

The letter said that Britain has the potential to play a positive and pioneering role in establishing peace, justice and harmony throughout the war-ravaged world.

"Britain can ultimately be the catalyst towards bringing peoples of all faiths and of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, closer."

"Unless the British Government realises the catastrophic consequences that are far more likely to happen than any optimistic scenario presented by those promoting the case for war, that great potential will be lost forever, and the world will be the poorer for it."