Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 44-year-old father of two from Syria, has garnered widespread admiration for his heroic act during a recent shooting incident in Bondi, Australia. That morning represented a key turning point for al-Ahmed. That peace came crashing down one day in June 2016 when two armed assailants ambushed them in cold blood. With remarkable bravery, he risked his life to confront one of the assailants, ultimately disarming him and preventing further harm.
It was Al-Ahmed’s quick thinking and courage that quickly came into view, as he used parked cars for cover while making his way toward the terrorists. He jumped on one of the attackers and struggled the rifle from his hands. In a smooth gesture, he pointed it back at him again, then gently set it down on the base of a tree. Sadly, al-Ahmed was hit by two bullets in the course of this heroic act and has been in intensive care since Sunday.
Al-Ahmed comes from al-Nayrab, a small village in north-west Syria. In 2007, he took the plunge to down under and became a retailer. His house in Syria is still destroyed, with the roof blown away by aerial bombardment and no windows or doors left in the property. His past and present stand in sharp contrast, but it’s that spirit of resilience and determination that he carries with him.
His heroic actions resonated almost immediately across Australia and most certainly in his homeland where he was born. Family members in al-Nayrab said they were proud, remembering al-Ahmed as a heroic man who spared “innocent lives.” Abdul Rahman al-Mohammed, a relative, stated, “We are proud of what Ahmed, the son of our village did … his act was heroic and no one else could have done it.”
After the incident, actors in their province began emphasizing that harmony and coexistence are foundational to a civilized and developed society. Al-Ahmed’s bravery is an inspiration to her and surely a reflection of the values of peace and multiculturalism that most Australians cherish. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited him in the hospital, lauding his courage to not only inspire the nation, but all Australians.
“At the best of times, what we see is Australians coming together. And what I want is for Australians to come together, for this to be reinforcing the need for us to promote national unity, and that is critical,” – Anthony Albanese.
Al-Ahmed himself thanked us, even as he described his grim fate. “What can I say? I have passed through a very difficult phase, but thank God for everything,” he remarked.
The shooting has resulted in an outpouring of support for al-Ahmed. An online fundraiser to pay for his medical rehabilitation has already raised over $2.3 million (£1.1 million) in donations. This massive response speaks to how beloved and admired everyone in his community was by his selfless deed.
“This incident caused a global sensation. He is from Syria and he is a Muslim, and he had no motivation for doing this other than heroism and bravery,” – Mohammed.