Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed as “an Australian hero,” after visiting the Syrian-born man in hospital following his intervention during Sunday evening’s attack, saying his courage in running toward danger “represents the best of our country.”
Al-Ahmed was injured while disarming one alleged attacker, an act authorities say may have saved lives.
Why It Matters
On Sunday, a major shooting attack occurred at Bondi Beach in Sydney during a Hanukkah celebration, resulting in the deaths of 15 victims. Al-Ahmed has been hailed as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen from behind. He was shot multiple times by the other gunman and is recovering in the hospital.
New South Wales Police officially designated the event a terrorist incident motivated by Islamic State ideology. In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Albanese and state leaders have agreed to strengthen gun laws.
What To Know
Albanese met al-Ahmed at St George Hospital in Sydney after the Syrian-born man was shot four to five times in his shoulder while disarming one of the alleged Bondi attackers, an act captured on video that circulated widely.
The extraordinary footage has been shared globally and viewed tens of millions of times on social media.
In a video of the hospital visit posted by the prime minister, Albanese tells him: “Ahmed your heart is strong. Your courage is inspiring.” Al-Ahmed places a hand on his chest and replies: “Thank you very much.”
The prime minister told reporters al-Ahmed had simply been trying to buy a coffee when he was confronted by people being shot, and chose to act. Albanese described him as humble and inspiring, adding that in a moment of “evil perpetrated,” al-Ahmed stood out as an example of humanity and national character.
Sunday’s attack targeted the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, which drew over 1,000 people to Archer Park near the Bondi Pavilion. The perpetrators have been identified as a father and son, Sajid Akram (50) and Naveed Akram (24), from southwest Sydney. The pair used legally owned long-barrelled rifles to fire from a footbridge overlooking the park. Police also found improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in their car.
Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, two rabbis, and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor who died shielding his wife. Approximately 40 others were injured, including two police officers. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. His son, Naveed, was critically injured and remains under police guard in the hospital.
What People Are Saying
Prime Minister Albanese: “What terrorists seek to do is to create division. They create conflict and undermine social cohesion. We are a better country than that, and we can’t allow their objective to be successful. That is why we must come together as a nation.”
Australian governor-general Sam Moston also visited Al-Ahmed in hospital today: “It would be staggering that he wouldn’t be receiving some form of bravery award…I think he’s been nominated many, many times already and in the context of what we saw, of course he is a brave man who has done something truly heroic.”
What Happens Next
Al-Ahmed is expected to undergo further surgery on his shoulder as he recovers from his injuries. The prime minister said that this is a time for national unity and pledged to work with leaders across the Parliament.
“This is not a time for politics, it is a time for national unity,” Albanese said at a press conference on Tuesday.
