Jakarta (ANTARA) - The mastery of technology is vital for Palestinian freedom fighters to put an end to Israel's occupation of their homeland, according to the 10th and 12th Indonesian vice president Jusuf Kalla."We have witnessed the remarkable mettle demonstrated by Palestinian resistance fighters in Gaza. However, we cannot win against technology," he said while alluding to Israel's technological advantages at an awards event held by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Jakarta on Thursday.
In the future, technology will play an increasingly crucial role in wars, making armed conflicts even more complicated than conventional battles between military powers, he added.
The former vice president further highlighted that efforts to fight for the rights of the Palestinian nation and uphold justice at the global level need to be combined with the strengthening of technological capacity and scientific competencies.
Without investing great efforts to master technology, Islamic countries will remain stuck under the risk of being dominated by foreign powers that are technologically more advanced, he observed.
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"Thus, speaking of the long-term, it is necessary for us to continue striving to serve justice domestically and in any other place in the world in tandem with pursuing mastery in science and technology," he added.
Kalla, who served under former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and incumbent President Joko Widodo, pointed out that economic capacity and educational quality are integral to building technological capabilities.
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"So, economic capacity, a strong education system, technology mastery, and war skills are all intertwined," he said.
On the occasion, MUI Chairperson M. Anwar Iskandar conferred the "Peace Mujahid" Award to Kalla for his relentless efforts and contribution to world peace.