Written By Maliha Akhtar
Houston Crescent
Australian journalist and digital storyteller Yusuf Omar shares his gripping tale of survival, faith, and selflessness after joining Greta Thunberg’s aid flotilla to Gaza.
On October 7th, Houston’s WhatsApp groups were buzzing:
“Yusuf Omar is coming to the local mosque today!”
No way! Who? many asked.
For those who haven’t been following, Yusuf Omar is an Australian journalist and influencer who joined Greta Thunberg’s humanitarian flotilla — a mission to break the siege in Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
When Yusuf walked into the mosque that evening, he was taller than his Instagram reels suggested — wearing his cap, a warm smile, and a grey sweatshirt that read “Seen TV.” He later explained that Seen TV is the independent media platform he’s launched to share real, unfiltered stories — training Palestinians to journal their stories free from political pressure or censorship.
From the moment he spoke, the crowd could sense his sincerity. Full of humor, humility, and hope, Yusuf brought energy to the room and empathy to every word. His message was simple — tell the real story.
He told the audience how he volunteered for the flotilla, submitting short videos and reels to show his commitment. “I just wanted to help,” he said simply. A few weeks later, he got the message: he was accepted. The journey would begin in Spain.
It wasn’t until he boarded the ship that he realized something remarkable — Greta Thunberg herself was part of the mission.
“That made me feel a little safer,” he joked. “Surely they wouldn’t bomb Greta — she’s white! There were even non-Muslims on the ship.”
The voyage was anything but easy. Seasickness hit early, and soon after came a violent storm. While some boats were forced to turn back, Greta’s and Yusuf’s ships pressed on. They eventually stopped in Tunisia to refuel — and to get a break from a boat plagued by plumbing problems. Everyone checked into a hotel, taking turns to guard the vessel overnight.
Then came the drones.
At first, they assumed they were only for surveillance. But one night, while it was Yusuf’s turn to keep watch — a shift he’d reluctantly accepted, his parents having flown in to spend time with him that night — his father offered words that stayed with him.
“If we’re all going to die someday,” his dad told him, “then let it be on a sacred mission — helping the children of Gaza.”
That night, a drone attacked the ship.
In shock and scared, Yusuf could only scream as loud as he could manage, and then he did the only thing he could think of: he went live on Instagram. “If we die,” he thought, “the world has to see.”
Miraculously, the crew survived, though the boat was damaged. Later, CBS reported that the drone strike had been ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite the fear and destruction, Yusuf’s spirit remained unshaken. His courage, humor, and sincerity reminded everyone that even in dark times, ordinary people can choose to act with extraordinary selflessness.
After the attack, the group decided to split up. Greta’s team continued toward Gaza, while Yusuf remained behind to document the unfolding crisis.
“The story isn’t about us,” Yusuf told the Houston crowd. “It’s about the people in Gaza — and the truth the world must see.”
As he spoke, there was a quiet in the room — the kind that only comes when a story touches something deep and real. Yusuf Omar didn’t just share what happened; he reminded listeners of what humanity looks like at its best.
Who Is Yusuf Omar?
- Profession: Journalist, storyteller, and co-founder of Seen TV
- Nationality: Australian
- Known for: Covering global humanitarian stories and championing “mobile journalism”
- Mission: To share authentic stories that inspire empathy and action, free from political or media influence
- Recent project: Joined Greta Thunberg’s flotilla to deliver aid and raise awareness for children in Gaza