WEB DESK: The parents of a bystander Ahmed al-Ahmed celebrated as a “hero” for disarming one of the attackers at Bondi Beach have expressed their hopes and prayers for his recovery from his injuries.
Ahmed, a fruit shop owner and father of two, is being widely praised for his courageous actions during the attack that took place at a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday. The incident tragically claimed 15 lives and left many others injured.
Ahmed’s cousin, Mustafa, remarked that he is undoubtedly a hero, revealing that Ahmed suffered gunshot wounds to his arm and hand during the confrontation.
Ahmed’s father noted that his son acted solely out of bravery and compassion, without regard for the backgrounds or nationalities of those he was defending. “He wasn’t thinking about who he was saving or the identities of the people affected. For him, there’s no difference between one citizen and another, especially here in Australia.”
The family shared that they have been separated from Ahmed since 2006 when he emigrated to Australia. Just two months ago, they traveled from Syria to reunite with him in Sydney.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns honored Ahmed’s act of bravery by posting a photo alongside him late on Monday, referring to him as a “real-life hero.” In his message, Minns lauded Ahmed’s extraordinary courage, saying his actions undoubtedly saved numerous lives by disarming a terrorist at great personal risk. He expressed his gratitude on behalf of people across New South Wales and described meeting Ahmed as an honor.
In addition to receiving widespread recognition, Ahmed also gained financial support from a US billionaire. William Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, donated A$99,999 (US$65,000; £49,000) to a GoFundMe campaign set up to assist Ahmed. The fundraiser amassed over $1 million by Monday evening, with Ackman describing Ahmed as a “brave hero.”
