At a conference on religious tolerance in Islamabad, former Malaysian prime minister (and current moonbat) Mahathir Mohamad said the Islamic world needs nuclear weapons.

For self defense.

ISLAMABAD: Muslim nations in the Middle East should arm themselves with nuclear weapons to deter Western enemies from attacking them, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Friday.

“They should have tanks, warplanes, warships, guns and missiles,” Mahathir said. “Yes, they need to have nuclear weapons too, because only with the possession of such would their enemies be deterred from attacking them.”

Mahathir, 81, who retired as prime minister in 2003, remains highly respected and influential throughout the Muslim world. He is currently on a lecture tour of Central and South Asia, and was addressing a conference on religious tolerance in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

When asked whether Muslim nations in the Middle East should acquire nuclear weapons, Mahathir replied, “Well, if you allow Israel to have them, why should the others not have them too?”