The recently concluded North Thunder military exercise in Hafr Al-Batin has boosted confidence of the Muslim world, which is currently facing immense problems on all fronts. This military exercise showed that Muslim countries are militarily capable of defending their sovereignty and protecting their interests.

The credit of instilling confidence in Muslim nations goes to Saudi Arabia, which has changed its posture to face today’s challenges. The world should know that Muslim countries are fully capable of fighting their enemies. It is heartening to note that they are fast moving toward self-reliance as far as their defense capabilities are concerned.

I believe that time has come to confront terrorism and regional troublemakers point blank. The international community had perhaps perceived the peaceful posture of the Muslim world as its weakness. The creation of a Saudi-led Islamic military alliance followed by this huge exercise is a step in the right direction.

All Muslim countries under the leadership of Saudi Arabia should expedite efforts to fight terrorism and all those forces hell bent on harming the Muslim world.