Earlier this week, devastating news broke that 23 Malaysians were intercepted and detained by the Israeli military during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Among those reportedly abducted were Malaysian actresses Ardell Aryana and Heliza Helmi, as well as singers Zizi Kirana and Hazwani Helmi.
Since then, Malaysians have urged the government and international leaders to do everything possible to secure the release of the detained activists. Several local celebrities have also voiced their support, calling for the mission to be completed and for all those involved to return home safely. Here are some of them:
Ceddy Ang
Content creator and host Ceddy Ang, better known as ceddyornot, has been vocal in his support for the people of Palestine and has consistently used his platform to educate his audience about the genocide. He recently posted a video explaining the situation with the Flotilla mission and expressed hope that the detained volunteers would be released, warning that any harm to them would only worsen the crisis.
Dato Sri Siti Nurhaliza
Biduanita Negara Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza has been keeping fans updated through her Instagram Stories about the Flotilla mission. She called on everyone to pray for the volunteers, as well as for her friends who had been abducted. “I’ve been tuning in to their livestreams until 3am, right up until they were cut off. May Allah protect them, and let us all, Malaysians, pray for everyone’s safety,” she wrote.
Mimifly
Singer-rapper Mimifly reposted a video shared by Sumud Nusantara, featuring Zizi Kirana’s final message to the world before losing contact. The clip had been recorded in case the volunteers were detained by Israeli forces during their mission. “Ya Allah, please protect my friend Zizi Kirana and protect everyone on the Flotilla team. May they be released and return to Malaysia safely,” she wrote in her caption.
Atilia Haron
Singer Atilia Haron reposted the Flotilla livestream on her Instagram page, which showed the moment one of the ships was surrounded by the Israeli navy. “When kindness is called a crime, silence is no longer an option. May compassion never be mistaken for danger. May peace one day be stronger than sorrow,” she wrote in her caption.
Agy
Singer-songwriter Agy showed his support for his peers by pausing all promotional activities to focus attention on the Flotilla mission. The influencer has also been turning down offers from boycotted brands and announced that he will cut ties with others listed under the BDS boycott. He further urged fellow content creators to find ways to bypass censorship when spreading information and raising awareness about the genocide, as well as providing updates on the Flotilla mission.
Alisa Spencer
Singer and ERA Sarawak radio announcer Alisa Spencer posted a video on Instagram demanding the release of the Malaysian volunteers detained by the Israeli military. “I demand the release of Malaysian citizens who have been abducted by the Israeli forces. The mission is peaceful and fully in compliance with international law,” she said in the post.
Intan Najuwa
Actress Intan Najuwa posted an update on the number of Malaysians detained during the Flotilla mission. In her caption, she wrote: “This is not because of FOMO, nor for validation from anyone. I am posting because my heart truly wants to. Ya Allah, strengthen them, protect them, and never leave them unattended. Surround them with Your mercy, guard every step they take, and ease every hardship they face.”
She also urged her followers to pray for the safe return of the volunteers, as well as for the liberation of Palestine from the ongoing occupation.
Fazura
Like many of the celebrities on this list, Fazura has consistently posted updates about the ongoing genocide in Palestine. She reshared Intan Najuwa’s post on her Instagram Story and added a prayer for her friends and the activists currently being held captive by Israeli forces, preventing them from completing their mission.
