JK: Iran's resilience proves the importance of technological mastery for the Islamic world

Jakarta - Former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) assessed that Iran’s ability to withstand military pressure from the United States and Israel is proof of the importance of technological mastery for Islamic countries.

“Iran surprised the world. No one expected they had the technological capability to enable the country to withstand pressure from the United States and Israel,” JK said while delivering a keynote speech at the “International Seminar and the 15th Annual General Meeting” at the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta campus in Ciputat, South Tangerang, on Wednesday.

In a statement received in Jakarta, JK assessed that Iran’s main strength is not merely weaponry, but technological capability developed consistently over many years.

“What wins is technology and spirit. Therefore, if Islamic countries want to advance, they must master technology. Religion and science must go hand in hand,” he said.

According to the chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), this situation shows that Islamic leadership in building peace faces major challenges, because many Islamic countries are still plagued by prolonged conflict.

“How can we talk about Islamic leadership for peace if many Islamic countries are still in conflict? This is a challenge that must be answered together,” he said.

He noted that when America attacked Iran, almost no other Islamic country helped Iran, demonstrating the complexity of political relations in the Middle East region.

On that occasion, JK emphasised that the progress of the Islamic world cannot rely solely on religious spirit, but must also be supported by mastery of science, technology, and economic capability.

He cited the Persian scholarly tradition that produced great figures such as Ibnu Sina and other Muslim scientists as the foundation of civilisational progress.

Furthermore, he expressed hope that Islamic higher education institutions could become motors for the development of science and technology, while simultaneously strengthening moderate Islamic values capable of contributing to world peace.

“If we want to be leaders in peace, then the country must be advanced, respected, neutral, and have the ability to understand problems deeply,” JK said.