The person who wrestled a weapon away from a suspected gunman in the course of the antisemitic assault at Bondi Seashore in Sydney, Australia on Sunday has been recognized as Ahmed Al Ahmed, and is being hailed a hero by Australian leaders and lots of others the world over.
Viral footage of the confrontation reveals Ahmed, a Syrian-born Australian and 43-year-old father of two ladies, crouching behind a automobile earlier than working in the direction of a suspected gunman and grappling with him as gunshots rang out and sirens wailed within the background.
After a brief tussle, Ahmed managed to take the weapon from the suspect’s palms and turned the gun on him, forcing the attacker to retreat.
Ahmed was later shot a number of occasions by a second perpetrator and is recovering from surgical procedure in a Sydney hospital, Reuters reported on Monday.
In an interview on Monday, Al Ahmed instructed reporters from his hospital mattress, “What can I even say? I went by means of a troublesome time [that] solely God is aware of about” earlier than asking for prayers and sending optimistic messages to Australians amid the devastation.
As of Monday afternoon, a fundraising marketing campaign for Al Ahmed has raised over AUS$1.7 million (CAD 1.55 million) by way of 30,000 contributions from around the globe. Billionaire businessman Invoice Ackman donated $99,999, in keeping with the GoFundMe web page.
“This GoFundMe has been created to indicate our gratitude and assist for somebody who demonstrated unbelievable braveness when it mattered most,” the web page, created by Automotive Hub Australia and YouTuber Zachery Dereniowski, says.
Ahmed, who emigrated from Syria to Australia in 2006, in keeping with the New York Instances, was praised by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who stated Ahmed’s bravery saved lives.
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“What we’ve seen within the final 24 hours was the worst of humanity in a terrorist act. However we additionally noticed an instance of the perfect of humanity in Ahmed Al Ahmed working in the direction of hazard, placing his personal life in danger,” Albanese instructed state broadcaster ABC Information.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who shared {a photograph} of a go to to Ahmed’s hospital mattress, additionally counseled him for his bravery.
“There isn’t a doubt that extra lives would have been misplaced if not for Ahmed’s selfless braveness. Thanks, Ahmed,” he wrote.
Equally, Australia’s Dwelling Affairs Minister Tony Burke singled out Ahmed’s bravery.
“All Australians stand collectively towards that assault — the police who have been there standing collectively towards the attackers, first responders standing collectively towards the attackers and even a bystander like Ahmed Al Ahmed standing there, placing their very own lives in danger towards these attackers,” Burke stated, in keeping with CNN.
U.S. President Donald Trump referred to as Ahmed “a really, very courageous particular person” who saved many lives.
King Charles III, in a press release addressed to these affected by the assault, despatched his condolences and praised the efforts of emergency companies and members of the general public whose “heroic actions little doubt prevented even larger horror and tragedy.”
Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, instructed the Australian Broadcasting Company in an interview that his son “is a hero.”
“He served within the police, he has the eagerness to defend folks.”
“When he noticed folks mendacity on the bottom and the blood, shortly his conscience pushed him to assault one of many terrorists and take away his weapon,” Mohamed Fateh stated.
Ahmed was having a espresso with a good friend close to the seashore when he heard gunshots, his mother and father added.
“He wasn’t eager about the background of the folks he’s saving, the folks dying on the street … he doesn’t discriminate between one nationality and one other.”
Members of the general public additionally gathered at St George’s Hospital, the place Ahmed is being handled, to drop off items and categorical their gratitude.
Misha and Veronica Pochuev left flowers for Ahmed with their seven-year-old daughter, Miroslava.
“My husband is Russian, my father is Jewish, my grandpa is Muslim. This isn’t solely about Bondi, that is about each particular person,” Veronica stated, in keeping with Reuters.
Yomna Touni, 43, stayed on the hospital for hours to help on behalf of a Muslim-run charity that was additionally elevating funds for Ahmed.
“The intention is to lift as a lot cash as potential for his speedy restoration,” she stated, Reuter’s reported.
The assaults have been condemned globally by Jewish and Muslim organizations, which have additionally thanked Ahmed for his heroic actions.
“We honor the bravery of Ahmed al Ahmed, a bystander who risked his life to guard these beneath hearth. The lesson, but once more, is all too clear: Our security is sure up collectively,” it continued, whereas the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) wrote it was “devastated by the horrifying scenes from Sydney, the place households have been focused in a terrorist bloodbath at a Chanukah celebration,” warning that Canadians aren’t resistant to such assaults.
In one other submit, the Nationwide Council of Canadian Muslims addressed Canadian and Australian Jews straight.
“To the Canadian Jewish group, know that just like the Muslim grocer in Australia who reportedly intervened to take down the gunman on this horrifying terrorist assault, we stand with you towards hate, anti-Semitism, and in mourning,” it stated in a press release on X.
Equally, the Australian Nationwide Imams Council wrote: “The Council of Imams NSW and the Australian Muslim group unequivocally condemn the horrific shootings in Bondi.”
“Our hearts, ideas and prayers are with the victims, their households, and all those that witnessed or have been affected by this deeply traumatic assault. We acknowledge the ache, worry, and misery felt throughout the group and lengthen our honest compassion and assist to all who’re grieving,” it continued.
“It is a second for all Australians, together with the Australian Muslim group, to face collectively in unity, compassion, and solidarity, rejecting violence in all its kinds and affirming our shared dedication to social concord and the security of all Australians,” the assertion concluded.
— With recordsdata from Reuters
