Shahidul Alam lands in Rome to join Gaza-bound media flotilla
Shahidul is the first Bangladeshi to take part in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's effort to break Israel’s siege of Gaza.
Renowned photographer and Drik Managing Director Shahidul Alam landed in Rome, Italy today (28 September) to join the media flotilla of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international initiative aiming to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza and challenge the ongoing media blackout in the besieged territory.
In post on his Facebook profile at 11:16pm, Shahidul wrote, "Landed in Rome. 600 miles to go overland before I reach flotilla. Palestine will be free."
Shahidul is the first Bangladeshi to take part in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's effort to break Israel's siege of Gaza.
He left for Rome from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at noon today, according to a post on Drik's Facebook page.
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Yesterday, speaking at a press conference at DrikPath Bhaban in the capital's Panthapath, Shahidul said, "Genocide is happening right now. Israel and America together are killing people in Palestine, in Gaza. Many Western countries are involved; they are also cooperating and are party to this. But many people around the world are protesting this. In solidarity with that protest, I am going to join the media flotilla tomorrow."
He added, "I am going as the first person from Bangladesh, but I believe I am taking the love of all the people of Bangladesh with me. We shouldn't be the only ones in this struggle. If we are defeated in this struggle, humanity will be defeated.
"As far as I know, no Bangladeshi has gone on this flotilla before. It's not yet possible to say who exactly are on this media flotilla. To my knowledge, this is probably the first time someone from Bangladesh is participating."
Freedom Flotilla Coalition
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, formed by civil society groups worldwide, organises missions to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza. Its vessels have carried humanitarian aid and volunteers from across the globe, often facing Israeli interception and attacks in international waters.
On 31 August this year, nearly 500 activists from different countries set sail for Gaza with relief supplies under the Global Sumud Flotilla initiative. The fleet has already been attacked twice by Israeli forces and is currently anchored in Greek waters.
The upcoming media flotilla seeks to break the information blackout by ensuring that the voices of Gaza's besieged population reach the world.
