The Bondi Beach hero has become known across the world after a video captured his incredible actions during yesterday's terrorist attack.
Police were alerted yesterday when two men, later revealed to be father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, opened fire on a local Jewish community who were celebrating Hanukkah on Australia's iconic Bondi Beach.
The attackers killed 15 or 16 people, including a 10-year-old girl, before they were finally apprehended. Sajid was killed by police, while his son remains in critical condition at hospital. Another five people who were attacked are also in critical condition at hospital.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese later confirmed that it had been officially recognised as a terrorist incident, which has since been identified as the worst in Australia's history.
Advert
Albanese said: "This afternoon, there has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration.
“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah – which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith.
“An act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation."
However, things could have been far worse at the weekend if it weren't for the heroic behaviour of 43-year-old fruit shop owner, Ahmed al Ahmed, who was captured in a viral video disarming one of the attackers after risking his life to sneak up on him.
Although he was shot twice in the arm, he is reportedly in a stable condition in hospital, and looks to be in line for a huge reward for his bravery after Jewish billionaire Bill Ackman suggested a fundraiser to support him and his family, which has since raised over $1,000,000, including a near $100k donation from Mr Ackman himself.
And that reward looks very much deserved considering Mr Ahmed was more than happy to lose his own life in order to help save the lives of others, judging from the comment he made to his cousin just moments before he approached the gunman.
His cousin Jozay Alkanj told the Sydney Morning Herald: "He said 'I'm going to die, please see my family and tell them that I went down to save people's lives.'"
Fortunately, it seems as if he will make a full recovery from his injuries, with his father confirming that he is in 'good spirits'.
He added: "He said he thanks God that he was able to do this, to help innocent people and to save people from these monsters, these killers.”
Ahmed had originally arrived in Australia from Syria back in 2006 and he has now well and truly established himself as an Australian hero, with his kindness and bravery praised by leaders across the world, including Donald Trump.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns also visited him in hospital.
He said: "Ahmed is a real-life hero. Last night, his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk.
"It was an honour to spend time with him just now and to pass on the thanks of people across NSW.
"There is no doubt that more lives would have been lost if not for Ahmed’s selfless courage."
Topics: Australia, World News, Crime
James Moorhouse