The internationally renowned Bangladeshi photographer, educator and rights activist Shahidul Alam, the only Bangladeshi to participate in the Global Sumud Flotilla, has expressed his firm determination to break Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza.
Widely respected for his outspoken stand on human rights, he sailed with a clear message of solidarity for the Palestinian people.
He said, “I am going as the first person from Bangladesh, but I carry the love of all the people of Bangladesh with me. What is happening in Gaza is a genocide. If we are defeated in this struggle, humanity itself will be defeated.”
Shahidul Alam is at the ship Conscience of the Global Sumud Flotilla and faced storm at night. He said “We shall not be cowed down. We came out in this stormy night to issue a statement and sing songs to express our solidarity. We know you too are standing by us. Rise up. Resist. We must not give up the fight for justice.”
Israel has said it would stop the flotilla, accusing volunteers of attempting to breach a lawful naval blockade, while asserting security and legal grounds for its actions. Later in a Facebook video, he confirmed that Alma was seized by Israeli forces in international waters near Gaza, with all communication lost afterward.
Shahidul shared his experience at Conscience, saying “As the last person to board the ship, I had no space here. I had slept in the open deck last night, but with the storm outside that option had gone. I found a tiny alcove next to the exit gate.
“It was noisy and lit up, but my period in remand and jail had prepared me well for these conditions and I slept like a log! Messages of goodwill and prayers have been coming in from all corners of the globe.”
Thursday morning he posted a video saying “Storm warnings are coming in from the Greek authorities. We went through a storm last night. The captain increased speed so we could stay ahead of the storm.
“The storm and the lightening have gone. It has also stopped raining. We are further behind from the rest of the flotilla. The ones in the front have already been attacked. We continue on our path to Gaza, undeterred by this intimidation. We will break the siege. Palestine will be free.”
His participation underlines the growing international mobilisation of journalists and activists seeking to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to deliver aid amid tightened naval restrictions.
He receives a wave of well wishes from Bangladeshi people and media. The world and its people are waiting bated breath to find out whether the flotilla will be able to reach the people of Palestine.
