WASHINGTON - Prominent Muslim-American religious leaders called for more constructive conversations to improve the United States' relations with Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Such a relationship should go beyond security matters to help foster a better relationship with the US and encourage the nation to invest in the civil society in the two countries, said Haris Tarin, director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a Washington-based public service agency for the civil rights of American Muslims, on Monday.

"We are against military intervention in a way that affects the life of the civilians, whether it is joint attacks or conventional military action," Tarin said during a news conference over the reaction of the Muslim-American community to the death of Osama bin Laden.

"The majority of the problems in the Muslim world can be solved through nonviolent means," Tarin said.

"We believe the most constructive way to address any issues on the ground is to ensure conversation and dialogue."

Tarin, along with Mohamed Elsanousi, the Islamic Society of North America's communications director, and Sayyid Syeed, national director for interfaith and community alliance with the Islamic Society of North America, expressed their support for the killing of bin Laden, saying that it brought about closure and relief to millions of people around the world.

Accusing bin Laden and his cohorts of "hijacking" Islam and "using extraordinary spiritual, political and human resources in a wrong way", Syeed said bin Laden brought "death and destruction to people of all faiths throughout the world".

Tarin added that the death of bin Laden "will not end terror, and terror may increase".

He said that he did not want to "overestimate the power of him and his followers", adding that bin Laden's influence was on the decline.

On the question of whether it was proper to give bin Laden a sea burial, Tarin said that bin Laden left his footprints in many countries, killing people regardless of their religious beliefs.

"Many never saw even the remains of their family members," he said.

Syeed said that the Sept 11 attacks masterminded by bin Laden created confusion over Islam.

Elsanousi acknowledged that there have been hate crimes in the US and that Muslims face challenges.

However, Mohamed Elsanousi said the death of bin Laden helped unite Americans and "affirm American fundamental values".

"It has been a nightmare to try to constantly explain to ordinary Americans that we are not associated with bin Laden. We have tried very hard to convince people that Muslims are not one monolithic group standing behind this monster," said Imam Muhammad Musri of the Islamic Society of Central Florida. "We were also victims of bin Laden's ideology of hate."

AFP contributed to this story.