Bradford's diverse cultures must work together to create a harmonious city, an adviser to US President George W Bush said.

Speaking to a multi-cultural crowd of more than 5,000 people, Shaykh Hazma Yusuf, of California, pictured, claimed the city's riots of July 2001 were caused by Muslims' 'loss of ethics' - the root of Islam. He was in the city at the packed Jamiyat Masjid mosque in Barkerend Road, which even had a crowd of 1,000 listening to his speech outside.

A religious adviser to Mr Bush, Mr Yusuf's talk last night, Troubled Times - Where to Now?, urged communities and young people to work together.

"Racism is not part of our religion and anyone who accepts it is going against the prophets," said Mr Yusuf, an American citizen who converted from Christianity to Islam in the 1970s. He said the riots went against the sacred right of property and life.

"When we lose our ethics we lose society," he said.

Mr Yusuf, who has studied in Morocco, Italy and the Middle East, urged people to be patient and with other cultures.

Talking about drugs, he said they were a symptom of much deeper problems such as the breakdown of the family.

Event organiser Sajid Hussain, of the Iman Foundation, said the free event would help create a much-needed change in the way the city works.

"A clearer vision for a better community has to be the only focus amid the confounding issues faced by us," he said.

Sher Azam, president of the Council for Mosques, said the event was a huge success and they hoped to invite Mr Yusuf back.

"He is a very learned person in Islamic education and he was invited over here by young people who wanted to learn from him," he said.

The talk, organised in collaboration with West Yorkshire Police and Anthony Island Associates protection specialists, was followed by a meal at the Sweet Centre in Lumb Lane, Manningham.