Captured Zaytouna-Oliva: Dr Fauziah's Family Ready For Eventualities

SERI KEMBANGAN (Selangor, Malaysia), Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Family members of activist Dr Fauziah Mohd Hassan, 59, the sole Malaysian on the humanitarian mission aboard the Women's Boat to Gaza (WBG), is ready for any eventualities. Her husband, Prof Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali, 62, said his wife's long involvement in humanitarian missions to various countries had made him and his children used to the situation. "Although this is the first time this situation (capture) has happened, we are prepared for any type of news. "However, we really hope the Israel authorities will release all the members of the mission, including my wife and let the mission go on to Gaza to help the people who need help there," he told reporters after a media conference here Thursday. The Zaytouna-Olivia, with its three crew members and 10 women activists including Dr Fauziah, was detained by Israeli authorities while on the WBG mission at 2.58pm local time (9.58pm Malaysian time) Wednesday. The Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) has confirmed that the vessel which was on its way to Gaza, was detained and towed away by the Israeli army to the port of Ashdod. The other women in the delegation were from Tunisia, Israel, Algeria, Canada, Turkey, United States, Sweden, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia who were on the trip as a mark of solidarity for the people of Palestine. Mohd Alauddin said the last time he spoke to his wife was on Oct 1 at 11am when the vessel was passing by the island of Crete, Greece. "She only said all was well and the members of the group were in high spirits to continue their mission," he said. Dr Fauziah's son Shamil Mohd Alauddin, 31, said he and the family always kept in touch with his mother's developments through news on the internet. "When we found out (about the capture), we prayed that they will be freed as soon as possible," he said, adding that the family was used to their mother joining humanitarian missions since when they were small. Dr Fauziah, who is also a member of the board of directors for MyCARE, has three children and six grandchildren. She has participated in humanitarian missions to various countries including Kosovo in 1999, Maluku, Indonesia (2000), Afghanistan (2001-2003) and Gaza (2008, 2012). -- BERNAMA