Renowned Bangladeshi photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam has returned to Bangladesh after participating in a humanitarian mission for Palestine. His flight landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 5 a.m. on Saturday.
The media organization Drik, of which Shahidul is the managing director, confirmed his return through a Facebook post early this morning.
Speaking to journalists upon arrival, Shahidul Alam expressed deep gratitude to the people of Bangladesh for their support and prayers, saying “It is the love of the people of Bangladesh that made my return possible. But we must remember, the people of Gaza are still not free. They continue to face oppression and attacks. Our work will not be over until Palestine is liberated.”
He continued, “Bangladeshis around the world have shown overwhelming support and prayers. I thank the Bangladesh government and the Turkish government for their help. I was able to go, but many others could not. Many contacted me wishing to join. We need thousands more flotillas like ours until Palestine gains its freedom.”
Reaffirming his commitment, Shahidul said, “Our real struggle is not over yet. The fight will continue until Palestine is free.”
According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, Shahidul Alam was scheduled to return home on Saturday morning.
On Friday afternoon, he arrived in Istanbul aboard a Turkish Airlines flight, where he was received by Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh’s Consul General in Turkey.
Shahidul had joined the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international humanitarian initiative aimed at breaking Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza. The flotilla consisted of nine vessels carrying politicians, journalists, doctors, and activists from different countries.
During the mission, Israeli forces attacked the flotilla, detaining all activists and crew members. Shahidul Alam was among those taken to Ketziot Prison in Israel.
Following his detention, the Bangladesh government engaged in diplomatic efforts through Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey to secure his release. After being freed, Alam traveled from Israel to Turkey on Friday and then returned to Bangladesh early Saturday morning.
