By now, many people around the world are aware of the issue surrounding a recent humanitarian mission to Gaza known as the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).

What was meant to be a peaceful humanitarian mission featuring over 40 vessels and hundreds of participants from more than 44 countries, including Malaysia, took a turn for the worse after being intercepted by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

Image Credit: Thousand Madleens

Not only were all the participants kidnapped, but there were also reports of them being treated horribly by the Zionist regime during detention.

Despite the harrowing experience faced by the GSF activists, it doesn’t seem to deter others. A third wave of the humanitarian flotilla, under the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG), is reportedly en route to Gaza.

Image Credit: Facebook

This third wave of the flotilla consists of 10 boats. Among those onboard are nine Malaysians, including four doctors, two lecturers, a chief delegate, a journalist, and a MyCARE trustee.

Interestingly, one of the Malaysian doctors onboard has previously participated in a similar humanitarian mission to Gaza, and was even kidnapped and jailed by the IDF.

Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan:

1. Originates from Terengganu

Dr Fauziah was born in Kuala Terengganu in 1957. She is married and blessed with three children and several grandchildren.

2. Works as an O&G Doctor at KPJ Ampang Puteri since 1997

Image Credit: Astro Awani

Dr Fauziah has been an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (O&G) at KPJ Ampang Puteri, Kuala Lumpur, since 1997.

She holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Tasmania, Australia, and has been a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (United Kingdom) since 2003.

3. An active figure in humanitarian work

In addition to her missions to Gaza, Dr Fauziah has participated in humanitarian efforts in Kosovo (1999), Maluku, Indonesia (2000), Afghanistan (2001–2003), Aceh (2005), and Pakistan (2005).

She served as the treasurer of the Malaysian Medical Relief Association (MERCY Malaysia) from 2000 to 2006.

As if that weren’t impressive enough, she is also a member of the MyCARE Board of Trustees and an advisor to ROse2Rose (R2R), a MyCARE agency focused on empowering women and children.

4. The first Malaysian woman to sail to Gaza in 2016

Image Credit: mStar

Before female figures like Ilyia Balqis, Zizi Kirana, Ardell Aryana, and the Helmi sisters joined the GSF, Dr Fauziah was actually the first Malaysian woman to sail to Gaza.

In 2016, she joined an all-women humanitarian mission called Women’s Boat to Gaza, aboard the ship Zaytouna-Oliva.

The mission included 26 participants from over 10 countries.

5. Was once detained and jailed by Israeli forces

Image Credit: Astro Awani

During the Women’s Boat to Gaza mission, Dr Fauziah and the other activists were detained by the IDF just 35 nautical miles from Gaza.

In a report by NST, she recalled how the crew threw their communication devices into the sea to prove their humanitarian intent, but the Israeli forces remained unconvinced.

“Some of us were stripped and checked. Although I wasn't shamed that way, three others had to undergo the indignity and were inspected from top to bottom."

"We negotiated and begged the Israeli navy officers to allow us to bring aid to the long-suffering people of Gaza, but the Israelis were adamant in halting our journey,” she said.

Dr Fauziah was briefly held in Givon Prison in Ramla before being transferred to a temporary detention centre at Ben-Gurion International Airport. She was eventually deported to Bangkok, Thailand, where her husband greeted her.

6. Recipient of multiple humanitarian awards

For her role in the Women’s Boat to Gaza mission, Dr Fauziah received several awards, including the Serikandi Al-Azwar (Iron Angel) award from the Terengganu government.

She also received the International Activist of the Year Award from the International Coalition for Palestine and Jerusalem (2014), and the Islamic NGO Leader Award (Ladies Category) from the Malaysian Prime Minister in 2017.

7. Part of the third wave with her husband

Image Credit: Instagram

This time, Dr Fauziah was joined by her husband, Professor Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali, who serves as the chief delegate.

Both were among six other Malaysians onboard the Conscience vessel.

Featured Image Credit: NST, Instagram