Malaysia premier calls for 'Islamic renaissance' with these two countries

Malaysia's prime minister has called for a "Muslim renaissance" with two other Islamic countries.

Mahathir Mohamad made the appeal a during a state visit to Turkey last week for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish state media reported.

Mohamad said Malaysia, Turkey and Pakistan "should work together… to help relieve the Muslim Ummah [community ] from being subjugated by others."

Erdogan echoed the call saying, unity between the three countries was necessary to bring the Islamic world together.

Pakistan's foreign minister welcomed the call for the "renaissance" on Friday.

Malaysia, Turkey and Pakistan are among the founders of the Muslim-majority D-8 group that seeks to establish strategic relations, increased trade, and more cooperation among its members.