LUCKNOW, India: Shia cleric and All India Muslim Personal Law Board Vice-President Maulana Kalbe Sadiq termed the execution of Iraqi brutal dictator Saddam as an attempt to create "feud" between Shias and Sunnis, urging Muslims to understand the American "designs" and maintain unity in the interest of the community.

Addressing the community members at Asifi mosque here, Maulana Sadiq said: "The US is conspiring to capture countries with heavy petroleum deposits by creating a feud between the two most prominent sects -- Shia and Sunni."

"After ruining Afghanistan and Iraq, the US is now targeting Iran," he said.

Instead of fighting among themselves, Shias and Sunnis should come together to fight against the "nefarious designs of US President George W Bush," Sadiq said.