Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, is a father of two young girls. He has received acclaim from around Australia and overseas for his extraordinary courage in stopping a shooting rampage at Bondi Beach. An Australian citizen of Syrian descent, al-Ahmed intervened when he witnessed an alleged shooter opening fire in a crowded area. His courage not only saved lives but won the respect of important politicians and leaders. He was subsequently awarded commendations by the Australian Prime Minister, the New South Wales Premier, and the President of the United States.
On the morning of the attack, al-Ahmed had been sharing coffee with a friend when bullets started flying over their heads. He didn’t flinch when he charged at the shooter and wrestled the firearm from his hand. During the fight, he received four to five bullet wounds to his shoulder. His brave descent is being called the “ultimate humanitarian act” by friends who knew him best.
Al-Ahmed’s family remembers his humanitarian spirit, and desire to fight injustice. His father, Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed, emphasized his son’s selfless nature, stating, “When he did what he did, he wasn’t thinking about the background of the people he’s saving.” He added that al-Ahmed “doesn’t discriminate between one nationality and another,” underscoring his belief in equality among all citizens.
Following the incident they immediately transported al-Ahmed to St George Hospital in Sydney. He remains in critical but stable condition today. According to medical staff, he still requires two more surgeries. This comes after an early-stage procedure intended to treat his wounds. His cousin Jozay noted that al-Ahmed is struggling to communicate effectively due to the medication he is receiving: “He took a lot of medication; he can’t speak well.”
Family members have good reason to be rattled by what’d just occurred. Malakeh Hasan al-Ahmed’s mother was crushed when she heard that her son had been wounded. She described feeling so raw that she could not stop herself from “beating myself up and crying.” The emotional toll is further compounded by concerns over public perception, as expressed by family friend Lubaba Alhmidi AlKahil, who remarked, “As Muslims, every time there’s an attack we say to ourselves, oh no, people will say it’s Muslims that are bad.”
Though the incident has been deeply traumatic, al-Ahmed is clear in his convictions. He wrote his cousin that “God gave me courage” and wouldn’t change a thing about his decision to intervene. This sentiment rings true throughout his community, with AlKahil reflecting that “what he did, he really is a superhero.”
In recognition of al-Ahmed’s bravery, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns stated, “Last night, his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk.” He further emphasized that “there is no doubt that more lives would have been lost if not for al-Ahmed’s selfless courage.”
The significance of al-Ahmed’s actions goes beyond his moment of heroism, and it touches on archetypal themes of community, love and humanity. Mustafa al-Asaad, a family friend, articulated this point by saying, “When he saw people dying and their families being shot, he couldn’t bear to see people dying.”
Ahmed el-Ahmed, still recovering in the hospital. He stands for the kind of courage that is required to confront this pandemic as an aside to the crisis. His family’s pride in what he did beams from the screen. Yet they bravely forge ahead, confronting a society steeped in fear and misperception.