Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad urged the Muslim world to build its own weaponry for “mass protection” to defend itself against oppression, The Star Online reported.
Muslims should manufacture their own fighter aircraft, rockets, cannons and pistols, Dr Mahathir, a respected figure in the Islamic world, said in a speech to a student community in northern Malaysia.
The Islamic world shouldn’t depend on weapons created by others, as the enemy could easily penetrate their defense system if it knew the weaknesses in the “imported” systems, he noted.
“To enhance our own defense capabilities, we must build our own brand of sophisticated weapons,” Dr Mahathir said.
“Not that we (Muslims) want to attack others, but we need to protect our ummah,” he stressed.
The former Prime Minister also said Muslims worldwide were suffering from oppression because they were unable to defend themselves.
“Muslims are weak because we have not made the necessary preparation to defend and protect ourselves and the masses. We could not do it because we have not mastered the knowledge of science,” he said.
Mahathir, who retired in October 2003 after leading the mostly Muslim Southeast Asian country for 22 years, has in the past often attacked Western efforts to suppress the Islamic world and developing nations.