Press Release

Drik Presents Panel Discussion: ‘Flotilla: Bangladesh Sails for Gaza’

Stories of Resistance and Solidarity from the Flotilla Activists

Drik Picture Library hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Flotilla: Bangladesh Sails for Gaza’ on earlier this evening at Dhaka’s DrikPath Bhobon. Three flotilla activists, Mohammed Ali (Liaquth), Jubair Islam Khan and Shahidul Alam, each aboard a different vessel, gathered to recount their shared experience of challenging Israel's illegal blockade of Gaza.

Mohammed Ali (Liaquth) said he joined the flotilla because protests and petitions no longer felt enough while Gaza remained under assault. Guided by his Islamic faith and its call to resist injustice through action, he sought out flotilla networks, passed vetting, and helped organise UK and Bangladeshi delegations. Telling his family was difficult, especially his mother, with whom he was very close. Instead of stopping him, she supported his decision and gave him money for the journey. Her blessing, he said, strengthened his resolve.

He described intensive preparation, including simulated detention and abuse training to prepare activists for possible interception. Participants also spent weeks readying the vessel, crew, medicines, and security equipment before departure. Liaquth stressed that the mission was not about individual heroism: Palestine had to remain central. Learning that another Bangladeshi, Shahidul, was on the mission comforted him, and meeting him in detention after their capture gave him strength. He described the mission as an expression of faith, solidarity, and personal responsibility.

Jubair Islam Khan described joining the flotilla after helplessness over Gaza turned into guilt. Living in the UK, he felt that daily life, taxes, and consumption connected him to systems enabling violence. After hearing Mohammed Ali speak at a mosque about the Gaza expedition, consulting his wife, and performing Istikhara, he decided to participate. He recalled the voyage as a powerful display of unity. People of different nationalities and faiths travelled together, and seeing Muslims and non-Muslims willing to risk their lives for Palestinians restored his faith in humanity. When the vessel’s engine failed at night, Jubair used the stars to keep it heading east. After repairs, he read a Qur’anic verse describing stars as guides through darkness, which he experienced as deeply spiritual.

As communications officer, he tried to livestream during the interception. He said Israeli forces restrained him, destroyed cameras, and that he threw his phone into the sea to protect personal information. He described harsh detention conditions and alleged beatings, stripping, and serious sexual abuse, assaults and rapes of activists. His narrative showed how powerlessness led him to action and solidarity.

Shahidul Alam played both the role of participant and moderator during much of the discussion. Placing the flotilla journeys in context and noting that the three Bangladeshis travelled on different vessels. His ship, Conscience, carried about 92 people, mainly journalists and medical professionals, from nearly 30 nationalities. His decision to join was sudden. While in New York during the UN General Assembly, a friend connected him with the flotilla. Within days, he had to rearrange travel plans and decide whether to undertake a mission from which he might not return. His partner, Rahnuma Ahmed, immediately gave him ‘100%’ support.

Despite arriving late, he reached Conscience carrying a Bangladeshi flag, making Bangladesh’s presence visible. Life aboard was organised but difficult: participants shared cooking, cleaning, security duties, and limited sleeping space. Shahidul monitored drones, while professional crew members accepted the risks of sailing. He said the voyage allowed participants to exchange ideas and plan future solidarity. The mission aimed to show Palestinian children they were not alone, support Palestinian journalists and medics, and keep global attention focused on Gaza, even if the flotilla was intercepted.

Shahidul further said that mission was not only about delivering aid but also about showing Palestinians, especially children, journalists, and medical workers, that they had not been abandoned. He added that even an intercepted mission could draw international attention back to Gaza. Liaquth said that, if he had arrived safely, he might have settled in Gaza to support its people long-term.

On Bangladesh’s response, Shahidul said they initially funded their own travel in the first trip but later received public support from political figures and the government. He noted that this was meaningful because activists elsewhere often faced criticism at home. He also expressed appreciation that two of the largest contributions to a later fundraising effort came from the Bangladeshi government.

Despite their different experiences, all three speakers shared one message: solidarity should go beyond sympathy. And beneath all three stories was one very simple message: the flotilla was an attempt to make Palestinians know that they had not been forgotten.

Photo: M H Akash/Drik

For further information, please contact:

Amina Neyamat

Equality, Diversity and Communications Officer

Mobile: +8801786502671, Email: amina@drik.net

Parvez Ahmad Rony

Team Leader, Drik Images and Network Coordinator

Mobile: +8801737758800, Email: parvez@drik.net

M H Akash/Drik

M H Akash/Drik

M H Akash/Drik

Published: August 15, 2026