Highlights
- Shahidul Alam accuses Israeli soldiers of humiliating Bangladesh by throwing his passport on the ground.
- Says the struggle for Gaza’s freedom is not over yet.
- Thanks the interim government, Turkey, and Turkish Airlines for their help in returning home.
- Reiterates commitment to continue the Freedom Flotilla mission for Palestinian independence.
Renowned Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam has urged the world to continue the Freedom Flotilla mission to ensure real freedom for Palestine and to expose the brutality of the Israeli forces.
He made this call after landing at Shahjalal International Airport at 4:55 am on Saturday (October 11) while speaking to journalists.
১৫ লক্ষ কাস্টমার একুইজিশনের গোপন কৌশল এবার আপনার হাতে! বিস্তারিত জানতে ক্লিক করুন…
Gaza’s Freedom Struggle Must Continue
Shahidul Alam said,
“প্রথমেই বলতে চাই এখনো গাজা মুক্ত হয়নি। তাই গাজা নিয়ে আমাদের সংগ্রাম শেষ হয়নি। যতক্ষণ পর্যন্ত ফিলিস্তিন মুক্ত না হবে, ততক্ষণ পর্যন্ত আমাদের সংগ্রাম চালিয়ে যেতে হবে।”
Translation: “First of all, I want to say that Gaza is not yet free. So, our struggle for Gaza is not over. We must continue our fight until Palestine is liberated.”
Israeli Soldiers’ Behavior Was “Disrespectful and Painful”
Condemning the behavior of Israeli soldiers at the airport, he said,
“আমাকে আটকের সময় বাংলাদেশি পাসপোর্ট দেখে ইসরাইলি সেনা সদস্যরা বেশি ক্ষিপ্ত হয়ে যায় এবং তার পাসপোর্ট মাটিতে ছুড়ে ফেলে দেয়। এমন ন্যাক্কারজনক কাজ আমাকে খুবই আঘাত করেছে। একটি দেশের পাসপোর্ট এমনভাবে ছুড়ে ফেলা অপরাধ, আর তারা এমন অপমান করে পার পেয়ে যাবে তা মেনে নেয়া যায় না।”
Translation: “When I was detained, the Israeli soldiers became angrier after seeing my Bangladeshi passport and threw it on the ground. Such a shameful act deeply hurt me. Throwing a country’s passport on the ground is a crime, and it is unacceptable that they can get away with such an insult.”
Read More: Israeli Soldier Accidentally Killed by Friend’s Gun
Gratitude Toward Supporters
At the airport, Shahidul Alam expressed his gratitude to the people of Bangladesh, the interim government, the Turkish government, and Turkish Airlines for their support in securing his return.
His Return Journey
On Friday afternoon (local time), Shahidul Alam reached Istanbul from Israel on a Turkish Airlines flight. He was received there by Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, the Consul General of Bangladesh. Later in the evening, he departed for Dhaka and arrived early Saturday morning.
Earlier, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for assisting in the release and safe return of Shahidul Alam from Israel.
About the Freedom Flotilla Mission
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition began its journey toward Gaza to break Israel’s naval blockade and demand an end to its aggression against Palestinians. Another group called “Thousand Madelines to Gaza” joined the mission with eight boats.
A total of nine boats carrying politicians, journalists, doctors, and human rights activists from various countries took part in the mission — among them was Shahidul Alam.
On Wednesday (October 8), Israeli forces attacked the flotilla and detained all the activists and crew members.
Source: DBC News
