Two days ago the Islamic Ruling Committee in Al-Azhar, considered the highest religious authority for Sunni Muslims, announced that the acquisition of nuclear weapons is a religious obligation for Islamic states: New Islamic Ruling Calls for Nuclear Weapon Armament.

According to a member of the Islamic Ruling Committee, Sheikh Ala A-Shanawi, "The Islamic nation has to recognize the enemy, and to prepare itself accordingly." In answer to a question sent to Sheikh Ala A-Shanawi, he wrote, "Allah's messenger [the prophet Muhammed] would have prepared himself with all the resources possible in order to deal with the enemy. Therefore, if the Islamic nation is not equipped with the desired weaponry needed, it will be forced to suffer the consequences, and will be blamed for negligence."

Sheikh Ala A-Shanawi emphasized, "All Islamic nations are required to seize nuclear weaponry, giving the nation the utmost respect. We see how far behind our nation is as a result of not being prepared as well as it should be, while the enemy has equipped itself with the best weaponry there is, which it will use to harm and destroy Muslims." wrote A-Shanawi.