Bangladesh’s interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Saturday delivered a strong message in support of those attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, including Bangladeshi activist Shahidul Alam,
stating that they “are closely monitoring the status and safety of those participating in the historic flotilla” bound for the war-torn strip.
In a post on X, the official handle of Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, wrote, “We are closely monitoring the status and safety of those participating in the historic flotilla for Gaza, especially world-renowned photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam.”
Statement of the Chief Adviser
We are closely monitoring the status and safety of those participating in the historic flotilla for Gaza, especially world-renowned photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam.
Shahidul has approached this mission with the same courage,…
— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) October 4, 2025
Yunus praised Alam’s long-standing commitment to justice, recalling his “unwavering spirit” during his 107-day imprisonment in 2018 for criticising the Hasina government.
“Shahidul has approached this mission with the same courage, resolve and unwavering spirit he showed when he endured 107 days in prison in 2018 for speaking out against injustice under the Hasina government. He stands today as a shining embodiment of the unyielding spirit of Bangladesh,” he wrote.
Referring to his own recent address at the United Nations General Assembly, Yunus reiterated the growing global apathy toward human suffering.
“As I declared before the United Nations General Assembly last month, “the indifference to human pain is destroying the progress humanity has built through decades of struggle,” he said.
“Nowhere is this tragedy more visible than in Gaza,” he added. “Children are dying of hunger. Civilians are being killed without distinction. Entire neighborhoods, including hospitals and schools, are being wiped from the map.”
Concluding his message, Yunus made a firm declaration of solidarity, saying, “We stand with Shahidul Alam and with Gaza — now and forever.”
Israeli Forces Intercept Flotilla
His statement comes days after a flotilla of over 40 civilian boats, carrying activists and humanitarian aid, were reportedly intercepted by Israeli forces, drawing widespread criticism. The flotilla, part of a broader international civil society effort to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver food and medical supplies, has drawn attention worldwide.
The interception on Wednesday drew massive global attention, sparking protests across continents. The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying 500 activists—including Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg and Nelson Mandela’s grandson—was the most high-profile attempt yet to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
As pressure mounts, a second flotilla of 11 boats has already set sail, signaling that the campaign—and the movement behind it—is far from over.
