Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and noted photographer Shahidul Alam. -Collage Photo

DHAKA, Oct 8, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today demanded the immediate release of Bangladesh noted photographer Shahidul Alam and all others, who have been 'kidnapped by the occupation forces of Israel' from the Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza.

"We demand the immediate release of Shahidul and all others from the flotilla," he wrote in a status in his verified Facebook account. 

"Our hearts and prayers are with Shahidul Alam, the world-renowned photographer and human rights activist. In a recent Facebook post, he shared that the flotilla he is aboard has been intercepted at sea and that he and his fellow travelers have been 'kidnapped by the Occupation Forces of Israel', the press secretary said. 

The extraordinary courage and resilience that sustained Shahidul during his imprisonment under the Hasina government will once again carry him through this latest ordeal, he said. 

"Yet even as we focus on Shahidul's safety, we must not lose sight of the broader context: the ongoing devastation and genocide in Gaza," Shafiqul added.

The global spotlight must remain fixed on the catastrophic loss of life, the relentless destruction, and the devastated humanitarian landscape there, Shafiqul Alam said, adding that this is not only a tragedy but a profound moral test for the international community, one that demands attention, accountability, and action.

"Shahidul stands as a shining embodiment of the unyielding spirit of Bangladesh. May Allah protect and keep Shahidul and the rest of the team safe," he said.