Two major gatherings were held in the country over the weekend; o­ne, a peace rally to protest a possible war o­n Iraq and the other a mass prayer to seek divine help in saving the people's religious schools or Sekolah Agama Rakyat (SAR).

The first - the brainchild of Umno Youth - was held at the Bukit Jalil stadium in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with a reported attendance of some 200,000.

Also present were Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, cabinet ministers, Barisan Nasional leaders and representatives from various non-governmental organisations.

The heavy rain failed to deter the crowd who began to gather in the stadium hours before the rally began.

Two and a half million signatures collected from the Malaysians for Peace campaign were handed to the premier.