Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the man hailed as a hero for his actions during the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack, has reached a significant milestone in his recovery, sitting upright for the first time since being seriously wounded.
A Milestone in a Painful Recovery
The 42-year-old tobacco store owner from south-west Sydney was photographed on Sunday sitting in a chair beside his hospital bed, a marked improvement after being confined to it. Mr Al-Ahmed was shot twice during the attack at Bondi Beach, which occurred as a crowd was celebrating Hanukkah. The alleged gunmen, Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, killed 15 people and injured more than 40 others.
In a visit from federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, Mr Al-Ahmed detailed the extent of his injuries, revealing he has already undergone three operations and faces more in the future. His immigration lawyer had previously stated his condition was precarious, with fears he might lose an arm.
‘The Very Best of the Australian Character’
Ms Ley praised Mr Al-Ahmed's extraordinary courage, stating he showed the "very best of the Australian character." She said, "In a moment of terror, he showed extraordinary courage, wrestling a gun from a man intent on harm and helping to save lives." She also honoured the police, first responders, and ordinary Australians who ran towards danger, noting that some paid the highest price.
Vision of Mr Al-Ahmed's brave act—leaping from behind a car to disarm Sajid Akram—was seen globally, turning the Syrian-born Australian into an international symbol of courage. This heroism inspired a massive wave of public support.
An Overwhelming Outpouring of Support
Following his actions, a GoFundMe campaign raised an astonishing $2,533,585 from more than 43,000 donors. This week, Mr Al-Ahmed was presented with a cheque for the mammoth sum. In a video message from his hospital bed, he expressed profound gratitude.
"To stand with each other, all human beings. And forget everything bad ... and keep going to save life," he said when asked what he would tell his donors. He explained his motives simply: "When I do save the people, I do it from the heart."
He also delivered a powerful message about the attack: "This country (is the) best country in the world... but we're not going to stand and keep watching – enough is enough. God protect Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie." The campaign attracted notable donations, including $99,000—the maximum allowed—from American billionaire Bill Ackman.
Mr Al-Ahmed, who first arrived in Australia from Syria in 2006 and owns the Cigara store in Sutherland, has not disclosed his plans for the funds. Speaking in Arabic, he thanked everyone for their efforts, asking for prayers from his mother, whom he called "the apple of my eye."
As the community continues to heal from the tragedy, the progress of Ahmed Al-Ahmed stands as a beacon of resilience amidst the darkness, his actions forever remembered as the epitome of selfless bravery.
