Bondi Beach hero’s parents break silence | World | News
Mohamed Fateh Al Ahmed and Malakeh Hasan Al Ahmed (Image: ABC News)
The parents of a grocery store owner who battled a Bondi Beach terrorist have described him as “Australia’s hero”.
A video shared widely on social media shortly after the attack during the Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sunday showed Ahmed al-Ahmad, 43, fighting an alleged gunman. Australian police said a 54-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, identified in local media as Sajid and Naveed Akram, were behind Sunday’s attack and killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi.
Sajid Akram was shot by police and died at the scene, but Naveed Akram, who was injured, is expected to survive his injuries and face criminal charges. NSW Health said 27 people were being treated in hospitals across Sydney as of late Monday afternoon local time.
Six people are in critical condition, the others are in serious and stable condition. Police believe the ages of those killed were between 10 and 87. It is stated that the condition of the two police officers injured in the attack is serious but stable.
Police are at the scene of the attack. (Image: Getty)
Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, told ABC Australia his son had the “drive to protect people” due to having previously served in the police. Speaking through a translator, he told the broadcaster: “His friend said to him, ‘Let’s go to Bondi for coffee.’
“When they arrived there, they were shocked to see armed men opening fire on the terrorists. Their lives were in danger. He noticed one of the armed men hiding behind a tree far away from him.
“My son is a hero, he served in the police and central security forces and has the urge to protect people.
“When he saw people lying on the ground and blood everywhere, his conscience and spirit forced him to immediately attack one of the terrorists and relieve him of his gun. I feel proud and honored because my son is a hero of Australia.”
His family had previously said that Ahmed was in the hospital with bullet wounds in his arm and hand, but that his morale was “good”. His mother, Malakeh Hasan al-Ahmad, said she was proud of her son and described him as “benevolent”.
“I’m proud of my son helping people. He saved lives, souls. God wouldn’t harm him because he was benevolent,” she told ABC Australia through a translator.
“He saw them dying and people losing their lives, and when the guy ran out of ammunition, he picked it up, but he got shot. We pray that God saves him.”
NSW premier Chris Minns said his government would pursue possible gun reform following the incident, after it was revealed the 50-year-old gunman was a member of a gun club and legally possessed six firearms.
His sentiments were echoed by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, who has suggested tougher measures be implemented across the country, including limiting the number of guns a licensed owner can buy.
A visitor leaves flowers at the Bondi Pavilion. (Image: Getty)
The attack was declared a terrorist incident targeting the celebration in Sydney on the first day of Hanukkah. Chanukah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival of lights usually celebrated in December.
British-born Eli Schlanger, 41, who grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and was an assistant rabbi at Bondi Chabad, was identified as one of those killed.
It was stated that the youngest victim was 10-year-old Matilda, whose full name was not disclosed. Harmony Russian School in Sydney said on social media that his “memory will remain in our hearts”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is understood to be in contact with Mr Albanese and CST (Community Security Trust), a charity that provides protection to Jewish communities in the UK.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told all Britons caught in the attack to contact the British consulate for support.
The British Muslim Network condemned the Bondi attack as a “senseless act of violence”.
Co-chair imam Qari Asim said: “The brave and selfless actions of (Mr. Ahmed), who resisted one of the attackers despite being shot, are a true reflection of the spirit of Islam, rather than the actions of the attackers who ended innocent lives through mass murder. We stand together in opposing antisemitism, extremism and all forms of hatred.”
