KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 — To beat the West, Muslims could follow after the Jews and build up their economic strength instead of resorting to violence, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said today, in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shootings by Islamic extremists.

The former de facto law minister pointed out that the Jews, who have been persecuted throughout history and suffered the Holocaust, did not kill Christians in retaliation but set up banks and financial institutions, took control of the media and established top-ranking universities like Harvard and Yale instead.

“They believed that the West could only be conquered by money and education, and now the Chinese are following the same formula successfully,” Zaid said in a statement sent to Malay Mail Online.

“I am all for defeating the West and the infidels who are insulting us, but we Muslims must position ourselves better by building better economies and wealthier countries,” he added.

Three terror suspects descended on the Paris office of satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, which had published several cartoons of Prophet Muhammad, on January 7 and gunned down 12 people, including the magazine’s staff and police officers.

Altogether, 17 victims have died along with three suspected terrorists after a hostage-taking standoff last Friday that marked the end to the deadliest attack that France has witnessed in 50 years.

Zaid said today that Muslims could defeat the “infidels” if they had more banks and scientists than the Jews, as well as stronger military power than the United States if they had resources and the know-how.

“That will also be when Muslims can control world-class publishing houses and newspapers like the Washington Post and quietly influence writers and cartoonists to steer clear of insulting Islam. This is the better way to establish God’s kingdom on earth, not by killing and dying,” said the outspoken former politician.

Zaid noted that Muslim leaders in Malaysia would not condemn the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo unconditionally as they would suggest that the cartoonists were asking for it when they lampooned Islam.

“Muslims generally feel that no one should insult or ridicule their religion, so any retaliation against such insults is fair dinkum,” he said.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also Umno Youth chief, condemned last Thursday the Charlie Hebdo murders, but at the same time mocked the need to protect “racist, xenophobic, bigoted” satire.

“The reason Muslims think this way is because their leaders and preachers do not tell them how to live with others on this planet in peace and harmony. The message is always about killing and defending their faith,” said Zaid today.

Zaid pointed out, however, that although times have changed from the olden days of religious wars, Muslim preachers still told believers to defend their faith through violence.

“Muslims must remember they live in a world that allows freedom of expression for individuals,” he said.

“In this world where personal freedom is valued and protected by law in most countries, no one will be spared the occasional insult and ridicule from newspapers and cartoonists. Even God, His Prophets and the Pope will not be spared,” he added.

Zaid said Muslims could choose to follow outdated teachings and wage war against the West and democracy, but pointed out that they would lose to Western nations that were richer and possessed greater weapons.

“Muslims may go to heaven but they will be dead and freedom of expression and personal liberty will prevail,” he said.

Zaid told Malaysian Muslims to “grow up” and to learn to live in harmony with other people.

“They can fight those who disagree with them with the Sedition Act and whatever laws they control, but unless Muslims are properly educated and have money and know-how, they will only know how to destroy but not to rebuild,” he said.