Renowned photographer and activist Shahidul Alam has returned to Bangladesh from Istanbul after his release from an Israeli prison.

Shahidul arrived at Shahjalal International Airport in the capital around 4:45am today.

Upon his return, Shahidul Alam said, “The love of the people of Bangladesh has given me the opportunity to come back. We must remember that the people of Gaza are still not free. The people of Gaza are still being attacked… They are still being persecuted. Our work is not yet complete.”He thanked the governments of Bangladesh and Turkiye for their help in returning to the country after being released.

He said, “Thousands more flotillas like ours are needed until Palestine is free,” adding that the struggle will continue until Palestine is liberated.

The acclaimed photographer was welcomed at the airport by his wife and human rights activist Rehnuma Ahmed, National Museum Director General Tanzim Ibn-e-Wahab, photographer and researcher Munem Wasif, among others.

After being released from Israel on Friday, Shahidul arrived in Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight.

Photographer Shahidul Alam is the managing director of the independent media organisation Drik.

He was arrested on Wednesday by Israeli forces while participating in the Media Flotilla headed for Gaza.

A global platform called the “Freedom Flotilla Coalition” set sail towards Gaza with the determination to end the Israeli siege in Palestine and the media blackout.

Politicians, journalists, doctors and human rights activists from different countries joined the fleet of nine ships.