Govt to host gathering for returning GSF volunteers

The Madani government will hold a special gathering to celebrate the return of all 23 Malaysian heroes who took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian mission.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the event would also serve to strengthen the solidarity of Malaysians with the people of Palestine.

“God willing, I am looking forward to their arrival in Kuala Lumpur. We will try to adjust the timing so that at night we can hold a gathering for them to share their experiences - that would be good too,” he said in a Facebook post accompanied by a recording of his conversation with the Malaysian delegation in Istanbul, Turkiye.

On Thursday, the 23 Malaysian activists participating in the GSF mission were detained by Israeli forces after their vessels were intercepted in the R3 Red Zone of the Mediterranean Sea before being taken to the port of Ashdod, Israel.

They were later released and departed from Ramon Airport in Israel at 6.45pm Malaysian time yesterday, arriving in Istanbul about two hours later.

Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby was reported as saying that all Malaysian delegates were scheduled to return home tomorrow.

Courage of Malaysians

Anwar, who is also the patron of Sumud Nusantara, said all Malaysians involved were in good condition and remained in high spirits.

In the conversation, Anwar also expressed his appreciation for their courage, perseverance, and sacrifice in defending the people of Gaza who continue to suffer oppression.

“They embody the courage of Malaysians who uphold humanitarian values beyond borders,” he said.

The Malaysians who were detained include singer Heliza Helmi and her sister, Nur Hazwani Afiqah, who were aboard the vessel Hio; Nurfarahin Romli (Farah Lee) and Danish Nazran Murad (Grande Blu); singer Zizi Kirana (Huga); Musa Nuwayri, Iylia Balqis Suhaimi, and Sul Aidil (Alma); Haikal Abdullah, Muaz Zainal, Zulfadhli Khiruddin, and Rusydi Ramli (Sirius).

Others include Razali Awang (Inana); social media influencer Nurul Hidayah Amin, better known as Ardell Aryana (Mikeno); PU Rahmat, Norhelmi Ab Ghani, Asmawi Mukhtar, and Norazman Ishak (Estrella); Zainal Rashid and ustaz Muhammad Abdullah (Fair Lady); as well as Hareez Adzrami, better known as Haroqs, Haikal Luqman Zulkefli, and Taufiq Razif (Free Willy).

- Bernama

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