Bondi hero Ahmed al Ahmed arrives back at the iconic beach to be given rare award of the keys to the city – but it’s the accompanying gift that might be even more hard to find
For his bravery during the Bondi massacre, Ahmed el Ahmed was awarded the ‘Key to the City’ and a lifetime Waverley Beach Pass, which gives him free parking at some of Sydney’s best beaches.
Waverley Council, which oversees Bondi, presented Mr Al Ahmed with its awards on Wednesday night.
He and two other men, Gefen Bitton and Leibel Lazaroff, were hailed as heroes for risking their lives to help others during the December 14 terrorist attack on Bondi Beach that claimed the lives of 15 innocent people.
Naveed Akram and his father Sajid Akram allegedly opened fire on a Jewish holiday celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. Sajid was fatally shot by police and Naveed remains in custody ahead of his trial.
Mr Al Ahmed became widely known for gun-wrestling Sajid during the six-minute attack. Mr Bitton also ran to Mr Al Ahmed to confront Sajid.
Mr Lazaroff assisted Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who died during the attack, to aid NSW Police Constable Scott Dyson, who was seriously injured after being shot. He received his awards from Waverley Council in February.
When presenting Mr Al Ahmed with his awards on Wednesday, Mayor Will Nemesh described the hero’s actions as ‘a guiding light to prevail against the darkness’.
“Amidst scenes of unimaginable horror, Ahmed rushed towards grave danger to save countless innocent people, physically incapacitating one of the attackers and forcing him to retreat,” Nemesh said. Daily Telegraph reported.
Ahmed Al Ahmed (0 on the right was presented with the Key to the City and a lifetime Waverley Beach Pass in recognition of his bravery during the shooting on 14 December)
Mr Al Ahmed was presented with the awards on Wednesday night
Mr Al Ahmed (above) wrestled with hitman Sajid Akram’s gun during the Bondi Beach shooting
‘The whole Waverley community is incredibly grateful to him.
‘These gestures we offer today symbolize our eternal gratitude. This gratitude can never be enough.’
NSW Premier Chris Minns attended the ceremony via video message, thanking Mr Al Ahmed for showing ‘the nation, and also the world, what true Australian courage looks like’.
‘Without thought or sense of self-preservation, you risk your own life to save people you’ve never met,’ he said.
‘So today we remember everyone affected by this terrible crime. ‘We know your story will continue to bring hope and unity as our community heals.’
More to come…
