'If we're defeated, humanity will be defeated': Shahidul Alam, first Bangladeshi to sail with Freedom Flotilla to Gaza
Shahidul will depart for Gaza via Italy tomorrow (28 September) to join the flotilla, which is carrying journalists and media activists
Renowned photographer and Drik Managing Director Shahidul Alam is set 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.
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"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," Shahidul said at a press conference organised by Dhaka-based independent media organisation Drik at DrikPath Bhaban in Panthapath, Dhaka, yesterday.
Shahidul will depart for Gaza via Italy tomorrow (28 September) to join the flotilla, which is carrying journalists and media activists.
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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," he said.
In response to journalists' questions, he explained, "So far, 44 countries have been mentioned; now it will be 45. The exact number is not yet confirmed. But this will join the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is the media flotilla, a large ship. Along with it, there will be about 10 smaller boats."
Sumud is usually translated from Arabic to mean "perseverance", "steadfastness" or "resilience". Often it is referred to as the Global Freedom Flotilla.
Before Shahidul's press event, Drik released a statement announcing Shahidul's participation, noting, "Despite global protests, Gaza has remained under blockade since 2007. People there are subjected to indiscriminate killings and an Israel-induced famine."
At the press conference, Shahidul said that for many years, Drik has maintained solidarity from Bangladesh with Palestinians seeking independence. From a collective movement perspective, Drik has continued activism at various levels, from photographic exhibitions and Palestine-focused film screenings to other initiatives.
At the end of the press conference, Drik Director Rehnuma Ahmed, also a writer and an anthropologist, said, "Bangladesh's participation in the flotilla makes us proud, just as we are proud of the seal on our passport: All countries of the world except Israel."
Earlier, Rehnuma told TBS, "We at Drik are proud that Shahidul is going and that Bangladesh will be represented in the Global Sumud Flotilla.
"As Shahidul's life partner, it would be shameless of me to express concern for his personal safety, given the unending massacre of men, women, and children in Gaza. I want the genocide to stop, and I pray for the safety of all."
She also said, "Israel's genocide in Gaza, now nearly two years old, is militarily, politically, and diplomatically fueled by the US, and aided by key Western powers. Despite recent recognition of Palestine by some countries, the situation is horrendous beyond words. Israel is pathological and has no right to exist. The demand should be for one state, Palestine, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians live in peace."
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.
