'Barely got a ghosted tent': Shahidul Alam recounts journey ahead of joining Gaza-bound flotilla
Eminent photographer Shahidul Alam has shared a detailed account of his journey leading up to boarding the Conscience, the largest vessel set to join the international flotilla aiming to break the siege of Gaza.
Sharing updates on his Facebook handle from Otranto, Italy, today (30 September), Shahidul described the situation as one of both determination and danger.
"In a different context this crystal-clear water could have looked very inviting. For us it is a matter of life or death for Gazans and extremely dangerous for us. But this team is determined to break the siege. And we will not give in to the 'solutions' western leaders are trying to trap Gazans into," he wrote while preparing to board the ship.
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Shahidul, also the managing director of Drik, noted the risks involved, citing flotilla organiser Huwaida Arrif, who reminded participants that several activists had previously been killed by Israeli forces during similar missions. Arrif herself was in Marwa, where 10 people were killed.
"She explained the dangers involved and provided an opportunity for people to opt out even at the last minute if they considered the trip too risky," Shahidul wrote.
The Conscience, the vessel carrying Shahidul and other members of the flotilla, is scheduled to set sail for Gaza tomorrow. "Barely managed to get a ghosted tent. We sail for Gaza tomorrow afternoon," Shahidul shared, adding that he was making final preparations while waiting to clear Italian immigration.
Reflecting on the destruction of Gaza's medical system, Shahidul relayed the testimony of a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon in the team, who said that hospitals had been systematically targeted.
"Yesterday there was an attack on Shifa Hospital, the only remaining hospital in Gaza," Shahidul reported.
In recounting his journey to the flotilla, Shahidul said it began on 25 September in New York, where he had attended a session on "Human Rights for Everyone, Everywhere" at the Ford Foundation, with speakers including Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
He then made a whirlwind stop at the UNGA sessions before flying back to Dhaka on 27 September for a string of meetings.
The next morning he flew to Rome, then travelled by bus and train before reaching Otranto four days after leaving New York.
Despite the hectic schedule, Shahidul said he continued documenting the trip. "Uploaded photos and videos and sent some supporting text before settling into my tent. Then suddenly remembered the captions I'd promised to send. So sat in the moonlight at the only place in the camp where wifi was available and sent them off," he recounted.
On his final day before departure, Shahidul wore an Abu Sayed artwork by Muhammad Mithun, which he described as a symbol of courage.
"So we can all be inspired by his courage and, like Hasina, Netanyahu will surely be toppled. The youth across the globe and especially those in Israel must rise to the challenge," he said.
Charging his equipment for the voyage, Shahidul concluded with a defiant note, "Palestine will be free."
