Ahmed Al-Ahmad, the Syrian who snatched the assailant’s weapon on Bondi Beach
In an exceptional moment of human courage, Ahmed Al-Ahmad, an Australian of Syrian origin, turned the tide of a bloody attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney, when he rushed without hesitation towards a gunman and snatched his weapon from him despite being shot several times. The 43-year-old man, father of two girls, became the talk of the world after his heroic stance that saved the lives of dozens of people in an attack that killed at least 16 Jewish people who had gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, according to what was reported by “The” newspaper. Guardian" British.
A humanitarian stance at the heart of the tragedy
Al-Ahmad was He was drinking coffee with a friend of his when he heard the sounds of bullets ringing out in the place during the Hanukkah celebration, yesterday evening, Sunday, and it was only moments before he made his decisive decision.
His cousin Mustafa Al-Asaad, who met him in the hospital, narrated the details of what went through the mind of the Syrian hero: "When he saw people dying and their families being shot dead, he could not bear the scene. He said to me: God gave me strength, and I believed that I would stop this person from killing people.”
Video footage from the scene of the incident showed Al-Ahmad rushing towards one of the gunmen and jumping on him, then wrestling with him fiercely until he succeeded in snatching the weapon from his hands. However, this heroism had a heavy price, as he was shot four to five times in the shoulder, according to what his parents, Muhammad Fateh Al-Ahmad, confirmed to ABC News. Australian.
Between the operating room and international praise
Al-Ahmad is still in a critical but stable condition at St. George Hospital in Sydney, as he underwent a first surgery and needs two additional operations.
His cousin, who visited him in the hospital, said that Al-Ahmad received a large amount of medication and cannot speak well currently. However, his cousin was quoted as saying: “I do not regret what I did, and I am very proud of saving even one life.” Only.”
Al-Ahmad’s exceptional position attracted the attention of the highest political levels in Australia and the world, as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese devoted a special space to him in a press conference today, Monday, describing him as a model of “Australians coming together.” He said, according to “The Guardian”: “Ahmad Al-Ahmad disarmed the aggressor despite the grave risks to himself. He was seriously injured as a result, and is currently undergoing surgical operations on Hospital.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Means also visited him in hospital, and posted on his Instagram account: “Last night, his incredible bravery undoubtedly saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk. There is no doubt that more lives would have been lost had it not been for his courage and selflessness.”
Even the American President praised his heroic stance, which made him world famous in less than a day.
A trip from Syria to Australia
"The Guardian" newspaper indicates The roots of this hero go back to the Syrian city of Idlib, where he served in the police ranks before immigrating to Australia in 2006 to hold Australian citizenship.
He lived for many years away from his parents until they finally came to Sydney from Syria only a few months ago, and the family reunited again after a bitter separation.
His mother revealed to the Australian ABC network about the difficult moments she went through when she heard the news of her son’s injury, and she said in a voice choked with tears that she began to thump and cry. With heartbreak.
She added that her son saw the victims falling to the ground and taking their last breaths. He could not control himself and waited until the killer’s bullets ran out, then he pounced on him and snatched the weapon from him, but he paid a heavy price with his severe injury, and she concluded with her continuous prayers for God to heal him and restore him.
His father, in turn, spoke of his son’s deep nature and innate humanitarian sense, stressing that he carries the spirit of defending the weak and oppressed since He was young.
The father of the Syrian hero explained that his son did not stop for a single moment to ask himself about the identity of the person he was trying to save, their backgrounds, or their affiliations. He sees humans as completely equal in their right to life and protection, especially in a diverse Australian society that does not differentiate between one person and another because of their origin or color.
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