Bangladeshi Photographer Shahidul Alam Returns Home After Release from Israel

After being freed from Israel, renowned photographer and human rights advocate Shahidul Alam arrived back here early today.
"A Turkish Airlines plane brought Shahidul Alam here at 4:45 a.m.... The famous photographer thanked Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus upon his visit, according to a Facebook post from independent media company Drik Picture Library Ltd.
His wife and human rights activist Rehnuma Ahmed, National Museum Director General Tanzim Ibn Wahab, photographer and researcher Munem Wasif, and other family members, well-wishers, and officials from Drik and Pathshala welcomed him with open arms at the VIP gate of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

While speaking after his return, Shahidul said, “The love of the people of Bangladesh made it possible for me to come back. But we must remember that the people of Gaza are still not free. They continue to face brutal attacks and persecution. Our work is not over yet.”

He expressed gratitude to the governments of Bangladesh and Turkey for providing necessary help to secure his return.

He also thanked all Bangladeshis living around the world for their response and prayer for his release and return.
 
”We need a thousand more flotillas like ours until Palestine is free,” he mentioned. 

Shahidul added, “I was able to go, many were not able to do so. Many have contacted me wanting to go. Thousands more flotillas like ours need to go until Palestine becomes free. Our struggle will continue until Palestine gets free.” 

He arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, by a Turkish Airlines flight after his release from Israel on Friday, as he was welcomed at Istanbul Airport by Bangladesh Consul General Md Mizanur Rahman.

A global platform called the ‘Freedom Flotilla Coalition’ started the voyage towards Gaza with the determination to stop Israel’s atrocities in Palestine and break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza.

Politicians, journalists, physicians, and human rights activists from different countries joined this fleet. Shahidul Alam was in that group. 
Subsequently, many detainees, including Alam, were taken to Israel’s Ketziyet prison. The Bangladesh government had been conducting diplomatic channels to ensure Shahidul Alam’s release.

Earlier, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his cooperation in Alam’s release and safe return from Israel.

-BSS