Bondi Beach hero Ahmed al-Ahmed who tackled gunman breaks silence from hospital bed with emotional message
The man who disarmed one of the alleged shooters at the Bondi Beach terror attack has shared an update from his hospital bed.
Ahmed al-Ahmed has been hailed as a hero for his actions during the attack at Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday (December 14), in which 15 people were killed, with one of the alleged gunmen also dying.
Footage shows the 43-year-old Syrian-born man using a car as cover as he sneaks up on one of the alleged shooters, who is firing a rifle.
Risking his life, al-Ahmed can be seen grappling the man from behind and after a tense struggle was able to wrest the weapon from his hands.
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Al-Ahmed has been praised for his act of heroism, risking his life and saving potentially dozens of others.
Now, the hero is recovering in the hospital with bullet wounds and has shared a message from his bed.
TRT World, the public broadcaster in Türkiye, posted a clip of al-Ahmed in hospital sending prayers out to people.
Speaking in Arabic, he said [translated]: “I appreciate the efforts of everyone. May Allah reward you and grant you wellbeing. God willing, we will return to you with joy. Thank you for your efforts.”
He added: “I went through a very difficult phase, only Allah knows it … I ask my mother, the apple of my eye, to pray for me.”
Al-Ahmed has received a number of high profile visitors at St George hospital in south Sydney, where he received surgery for two gunshot wounds.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn was among them and thanked him on behalf of King Charles.
Mostyn said: “For Ahmed, he wants to send thanks for … that moment of absolute heroics that we’ve all been staggered by and so grateful for.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns posted a photo alongside Al-Ahmed in his hospital bed, describing him as a 'real-life hero'.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also visited al-Ahmed, telling him: “Your heart is strong, your courage is inspiring.”
The prime minister added that al-Ahmed is currently recovering ahead of receiving more surgery on Wednesday.
He said: “He was trying to get a cup of coffee, simple as that, and found himself at a moment where people were being shot in front of him.”
Australia's former prime minister John Howard also praised the hero.
“The single act of greatest courage we’ve seen is that magnificent man who tackled the bloke with the gun, and I understand he’s a Muslim,” he told Sky News on Tuesday.
“There are good people of every persuasion in this wonderful country about and although it’s a terrible tragedy and a reminder that anything can happen here, we should not lose faith in the Australian achievement.”
The two alleged attackers have been identified in local media as father and son 50-year-old Sajid and 24-year-old Naveed Akram, and are accused of shooting at crowds of people celebrating Hanukkah at the beach at around 6:40pm local time.
Sajid died following the attack, while Naveed is said to be in a critical condition.
Topics: News, World News, Australia, Gun Crime, Crime
Kit Roberts