The travelling United Buddy Bears (UBB) exhibition promoting peace and harmony was scrapped after a hadith was found on one of the bear statue's hips.

The United Buddy Bears, an exhibition featuring 140 two metre tall bear statues, was to show at Padang Kota Lama in George Town from Aug 27 to Oct 30.

According to Penang mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor, a quotation from Prophet Muhammad was written in Arabic on the hips of one of the bear statues on show.

The quotation, or hadith, translates: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself."

"This exhbition is to encourage peace and unity across race, religion and culture, but the existence of such text at an inappropriate spot may cause misunderstanding among Muslims.

"We hope future exhibitors can refer to the mufti's office if there exists any parts in their exhibition which relate to Islam, so as to ensure there are no forbidden elements," he said in a statement.

He also thanked the exhibition organisers for their cooperation.

According to the UBB website, each 'Buddy Bear' is designed individually by artists on behalf of their native countries.

"The diverse design of the Buddy Bears - always typical of the respective countries - enables the vistors to experience a journey around the globe.

"The Buddy Bears stand together 'hand in hand' symbolising the fututre vision of a peaceful world," its website reads.

Buddy Bears activities have also raised more than EUR2 million for children in need, channeled through Unicef and local children's relief organisations, it said.

The bears were on show at Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur from December 2011 to February 2012, with artist Imuda designing a bear statue on Malaysia's behalf.

The Kuala Lumpur exhibition, and activities linked to it raised RM285,750 for children in need.