Who is Ruhi Loren Akhtar?

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has drawn the attention of activists, aid workers, and campaigners from across the world. Among them is Bangladeshi-origin activist Ruhi Loren Akhtar, who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of ships carrying aid and supplies to Palestinians living under blockade. Her participation has brought renewed focus on the role of diaspora Bangladeshis in international humanitarian efforts and the growing solidarity movements aimed at supporting Gaza.

Ruhi, a British-Bangladeshi humanitarian worker, well-known for her tireless advocacy for refugees and displaced communities. She is the founder of Refugee Biriyani & Bananas (RBB), a female-led NGO that provides emergency relief, food parcels, clothing, hygiene kits, and training programs for people affected by conflict.

Originally working in the UK’s National Health Service as a diabetes specialist, Ruhi was moved to action in 2015 after the tragic image of Alan Kurdi, the Syrian child who drowned in the Mediterranean, went viral. That moment marked a turning point in her life, motivating her to dedicate her career to humanitarian service. Since then, she has been active in Greece, supporting refugees in camps, and in Gaza, where her organization has delivered essential aid despite immense challenges.

The Global Sumud Flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla is a large-scale humanitarian convoy consisting of more than 50 vessels and participants from over 45 countries, including Bangladesh’s Shahidul Alam. Its mission is to deliver urgent humanitarian supplies—including food, water, medical aid, and baby products—to Gaza, where millions of Palestinians are facing shortages under blockade.

“Sumud,” an Arabic word meaning “steadfastness,” reflects the spirit of resilience among Palestinians and the international solidarity movement supporting them. The flotilla is not just about aid delivery but also about raising awareness, breaking the silence, and challenging restrictions that prevent life-saving materials from reaching civilians.

By joining the Gaza-bound flotilla, Ruhi Akhtar has placed herself at the center of a risky yet symbolic mission. Organizers of the flotilla have already reported drone surveillance and the interception by Israeli forces at sea. Yet participants, including Ruhi, emphasize that their commitment is rooted in justice and humanity.

Why Ruhi Akhtar Joined the Flotilla

Speaking before her journey, Ruhi Akhtar stated: “I am joining the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza because silence in the face of injustice is not an option. For too long, Palestinians have been denied their basic rights, including access to food, water, their land, basic safety, and freedom of movement.”

Her words reflect a powerful truth: humanitarian work is not only about distributing food or blankets, but also about sending a message of solidarity. For Ruhi, the flotilla represents both direct action and symbolic resistance.

As an activist, she draws parallels between the struggles of displaced people worldwide and the historical experiences of her own community. Her message is that people cannot remain silent while innocent civilians face starvation, bombardment, and blockade.

Refugee Biriyani & Bananas: Her Humanitarian Platform

Ruhi’s organization, Refugee Biriyani & Bananas (RBB), plays a crucial role in providing aid across conflict zones. Founded after her initial volunteering experience in Greece, RBB has grown into a trusted grassroots NGO. It is female-led and community-driven, with many team members themselves having refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds.

In Gaza, RBB has worked to deliver fresh food, clean drinking water, and hygiene kits. In Greece, the team supports refugees stranded in camps, offering both essential supplies and training programs to build skills for the future.

The name “Biriyani & Bananas” symbolizes dignity and familiarity. Food, especially culturally relevant meals like biriyani, represents more than sustenance—it offers comfort, identity, and a sense of home to displaced communities.

The Risks of the Gaza-Bound Flotilla

Participating in a Gaza-bound flotilla is not without danger, humanitarian convoys have faced interceptions, detentions, and even violent confrontations. Israeli authorities consider such missions illegal attempts to breach the blockade, while flotilla organizers argue that international law upholds the right to deliver humanitarian aid.

About hundreds of activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg have been detained by Israeli forces after a flotilla carrying aid bound for Gaza was intercepted on Thursday. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said those involved in the GSF were being transferred to an Israeli port to be deported.

However, some of the boats are still sailing towrd Gaza. As Participants, including Ruhi Akhtar, remain steadfast. Their goal is not only to deliver supplies but also to draw international attention to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Shahidul Alam: Bangladesh’s Voice of Conscience

Shahidul Alam, one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated photographers and a globally respected social justice activist is also part of this group, along with Ruhi. For decades, Shahidul has used his camera as a tool for truth-telling, documenting struggles for democracy, human rights, and justice.

Best known as the founder of Drik Picture Library and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, his work has highlighted issues of inequality, authoritarianism, and freedom of expression. By sailing with the Global Sumud Flotilla, Alam extends his activism from Bangladesh’s political struggles to the global stage.

The Significance for Bangladesh

For Bangladeshis at home and abroad, Ruhi and Shahidul’s participation carries symbolic weight. Bangladesh has its own history of displacement, from the 1971 Liberation War to the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis. Many in the country empathize deeply with the struggles of Palestinians.

The involvement of a Bangladeshi-origin activist in the flotilla highlights the role of diaspora voices in global humanitarian networks. It shows how Bangladeshis, whether in Dhaka, London, or beyond, can contribute to international solidarity movements. Ruhi’s journey is also a reminder of the strong moral tradition of supporting oppressed peoples worldwide.

A Humanitarian Legacy in the Making

The story of Ruhi Akhtar is not only about one flotilla. It is about the broader journey of a woman who left a stable career to dedicate her life to humanitarian service. Through RBB and her direct involvement in missions like the Global Sumud Flotilla, she embodies resilience, empathy, and leadership.

Her work demonstrates how one individual, armed with determination and a vision for justice, can make a significant impact. By amplifying the voices of refugees and displaced people, she challenges indifference and urges the world to pay attention.

The participation of Bangladeshi-origin activist Ruhi Akhtar in the Gaza-bound flotilla underscores both the urgency of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the global solidarity that continues to grow. For Ruhi, silence is not an option, and action—no matter how risky—remains necessary.

As the flotilla sails forward, it carries not just aid, but also hope, solidarity, and the voices of countless people who refuse to look away