Loading...
The parents of Ahmed al-Ahmed, the heroic Bondi Beach figure who saved countless lives during a horrific mass shooting, have now revealed key details about how their courageous son managed to disarm one of the gunmen.
Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two, was at Bondi Beach with his cousin Mustafa when the terrifying attack unfolded on the first night of Hanukkah.
As two gunmen began firing on a crowd gathered to celebrate the Jewish festival, 15 innocent people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl and a beloved rabbi.
Despite the chaos, Ahmed’s extraordinary bravery meant that others would not share the same fate.
Witnesses described how the man tackled one of the gunmen to the ground, successfully wrestled the weapon from his hands, and prevented further carnage.
Footage of his heroic act has since gone viral, offering a rare moment of hope in the wake of this tragedy.
Ahmed, originally from Syria, moved to Australia 13 years ago. His parents, Mohamed Fateh Al Ahmed and Malakeh Hasan Al Ahmed, who recently relocated to Australia, have revealed that their son had served in the Syrian security forces and as a police officer before becoming a tobacconist in Sydney.
Speaking through an interpreter, Malakeh shared: “My son has always been brave. He helps people. He’s like that," per ABC.
The couple emphasized that their son has always acted selflessly, without prejudice, and has shown remarkable courage in the face of danger.
“He doesn't discriminate between one nationality and another," Mohamed added. "Especially here in Australia, there's no difference between one citizen and another."
Ahmed's cousin, Mustafa, added: “He said he couldn’t take any killings in front of his eyes, and that it was time to stop the killing. He prayed to God, he said 'Give me strength’ and he ran at him from behind."
In the process of disarming the gunman, Ahmed was shot multiple times in the shoulder, arm, and hand.
Doctors have confirmed that he underwent successful surgery, but his injuries are severe, and there are concerns that he may lose the use of his arm due to nerve damage.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Ahmed shared a heartfelt message in Arabic: “Through Allah, I went through a very difficult phase, only Allah knows it. I ask my mother, the apple of my eye, to pray for me," cited by Daily Mail.
His parents are now facing the heartbreaking reality of caring for their son, fearing that they are too elderly to provide the support he needs as he recovers.
They have called upon the Australian government to help bring Ahmed's two brothers, who live in Germany and Russia, to Australia during this challenging time.
“He needs help now as he’s become disabled,” Malakeh said, per The Mirror. “We need our other children to come here to help.”
In the wake of his heroic actions, Ahmed has become a symbol of courage for Australians and people around the world.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese both praised his bravery, with Albanese calling him a “real-life hero".
“There is no doubt that more lives would have been lost if not for Ahmed’s selfless courage,” Minns said. “He is a genuine hero.”
A GoFundMe campaign set up to support Ahmed’s recovery has raised over $2 million, with notable donations, including $100,000 from US billionaire Bill Ackman.
The funds will help support Ahmed’s medical expenses and provide for his young daughters, aged six and seven, as their father fights to heal.
Despite facing the unimaginable, the 43-year-old remains focused on his recovery and committed to the values that led him to act in the first place. His parents, reflecting on his heroism, said: “He saved lives, souls. God would not harm him because he was a do-gooder."
