In Turkey, Mahathir tells Muslim countries to stop depending on others

(Bernama) – Saying the Muslim world is in a state of turnmoil, Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged Malaysia, Turkey and Pakistan to pool their resources to restore Islamic civilisation.

Speaking after a meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan here, the prime minister said Muslim countries should address their weaknesses and their dependence on others.

“By working together, countries like Malaysia, Turkey and Pakistan should be able to put our minds and assets together so as to tackle this problem and help resuscitate the Islamic civilisation.”

Earlier, Erdogan presented the Order of the Republic medal to Mahathir in recognition for his efforts in developing Malaysia.

Mahathir said Muslim countries should strive to be independent.

“I am sure that the cooperation between Malaysia and Turkey will help us move in that direction to free the Muslim ummah from being subjugated by others who are not friendly towards us,” he said.

On Palestine, Mahathir said Malaysia and Turkey shared similar views and it was important to show the world that both countries were concerned with the plight of the Palestinians.

Mahathir began his official programme in Turkey on Thursday by laying a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.

He later visited Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), which is the centre of the country’s aerospace industry.

He was also conferred an honorary doctorate of Political Sciences and Public Administration by Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University.