The hero who disarmed one of the gunmen during the deadly Bondi Beach attack is now recovering in a luxury Sydney hotel, after a remarkable global fundraising effort secured millions for his care.
A Global Outpouring of Support
Ahmed al Ahmed, a 44-year-old Syrian-born father of two, was presented with a cheque for AUS$2.5 million (approximately £1.24 million) following an international campaign to support his recovery and thank him for his immense bravery. The shop owner was filmed wrestling a firearm from 50-year-old Sajid Akram during the attack on December 14, which left 15 people dead at a Jewish Hanukkah festival.
Footage of his courageous act was shared worldwide. Tragically, during the confrontation, Mr Ahmed was shot several times by the second gunman, allegedly Akram's son Naveed. He required at least three operations on his arm as a result of his injuries.
Recovery and Reflection
Discharged from hospital over the weekend, Mr Ahmed was spotted this Monday on a balcony at the upscale Crown Hotel in Sydney's Barangaroo precinct, his left arm in a sling and his family by his side. In a moving interview with CBS News, he revealed the powerful instinct that drove his actions.
"Emotionally, I'm doing something, which is I feel something, a power in my body, my brain," he said. "I don't want to see people killed in front of me, I don't want to see blood, I don't want to hear his gun, I don't want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help. That's my soul asking me to do that."
He described holding onto Sajid Akram with his right hand and demanding he drop his weapon. While acknowledging that his actions saved lives, he sombrely added, "I feel sorry still for the lost."
Long Road Ahead and National Recognition
The media director for the Australians for Syria Association, Lubaba Alhmidi AlKahil, stated last week that due to nerve damage, Mr Ahmed's arm is not expected to regain normal function for at least six months. "He needs to get rest, he needs to spend time with his family, he has been away from his wife and daughters for a long time," AlKahil emphasised.
The attack, Australia's deadliest since 1996, ended with police shooting Sajid Akram dead. Naveed Akram was hospitalised and later charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
Mr Ahmed has been hailed at the highest levels of Australian leadership. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited him in hospital, described him as "the best of our country," while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called him a "real-life hero."
