Australia PM Praises Bondi Hero Ahmed al Ahmed

SYDNEY:  Australia’s Prime Minister visited Ahmed al Ahmed in hospital on Tuesday, praising his heroic actions during the Bondi Beach shooting, the country’s deadliest gun attack in decades.

A father and son killed 15 people on Sunday while targeting a Jewish festival marking the start of Hanukkah. Footage captured Ahmed, a fruit seller, dodging between parked cars during the attack and wrestling a gun from one of the attackers.

“He was trying to get a cup of coffee and found himself at a moment where people were being shot in front of him,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during a bedside visit with the heavily bandaged Ahmed. “He decided to take action, and his bravery is an inspiration for all Australians.”

Ahmed sustained multiple shoulder gunshot wounds while confronting the gunman and is scheduled for further surgery on Wednesday. Albanese called him “an example of the strength of humanity” and said, “We are a brave country. Ahmed al Ahmed represents the best of our nation.”

In a video shared on social media, Ahmed, bedbound with medical tubes, expressed gratitude in Arabic. “I appreciate the efforts of everyone,” he said. “May Allah reward you and grant you wellbeing. God willing, we will return to you with joy. Thank you for your efforts.”

Read more: Bondi Beach Shooting: Father from Hyderabad Among Attackers in Australia Massacre

Ahmed, a father of two, moved to Australia from Syria nearly a decade ago. His mother told ABC she was devastated when she heard he had been shot. “He saw people dying, and when the attacker ran out of ammo, he took the gun from him, but he was hit. We pray that God saves him,” she said.

Ahmed has received worldwide recognition for his courage, including praise from former US President Donald Trump. An online fundraiser for his medical expenses has raised over AU$1.9 million ($1.2 million).