Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed has been awarded a key to the city and a lifetime beach parking pass for his bravery during the December 14 terror attack.
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The 43-year-old went viral after footage showed him sneaking up behind one of the two gunmen shooting at attendees of a Jewish event and wrestling a long-barrelled gun away from him.
He was shot several times following the altercation, requiring multiple surgeries at St George Hospital.
Fifteen people were killed at the Hanukkah celebration, called Chanukah by the Sea at Archer Park, with the youngest only 10 years old.
The father-of-two was presented with the gifts to honour his heroism at a ceremony hosted by Waverley Council, where Bondi Beach is located.
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Recognition of ‘unflinching resolve’
A video message from New South Wales Premier Chris Minns was played for the audience, in which he thanked and praised Mr Ahmed for his actions, which “showed the nation and the world what true Australian courage looks like”.
“Without a second thought and without a sense of your own self-preservation, you put your own life at risk to save people you’d never met before,” he said.
Hero’s parents praise son’s actions during Bondi terror attack
Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh said footage of Mr Ahmed disarming one of the gunmen “has become synonymous with heroism and the bravery of ordinary Australians displayed during that day”.
“When confronted by hatred in the worst form, you acted with urgency and unflinching resolve,” he said.
“The story of Hanukkah itself is about shining a light on darkness, of being brave when confronted with evil, and making a worthy contribution to our world, and I think we would all agree that this perfectly describes Ahmed.
“We all pray that you make a full and speedy recovery from your injuries.”
Mr Ahmed risked his own safety when he crept up behind one of the Bondi shooters and disarmed him.
Cr Nemesh said the Waverley community was “grateful” for what he did, and that the key to the city was “council’s greatest recognition and symbolises our everlasting gratitude”.
Mr Ahmed then became the second person in the council’s history to receive a lifetime beach parking permit for the LGA, which also includes Bondi.
‘We say to you, our beaches are your beaches and you will forever have a place here in Waverley,” Cr Nemesh said.
Mr Ahmed was awarded two gifts from NSW Governor Margaret Beazley. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
‘Courage beyond courage’
Governor of New South Wales Margaret Beazley also spoke at the ceremony, acknowledging Mr Ahmed’s injuries sustained during the encounter.
She said his actions brought to her mind the motto of surf lifesaving: “Whomsoever you see in distress, recognise in them a fellow human being.”
“What you exposed yourself to, I suspect no-one can fully gauge personally, other than to have an appreciation that it was courage beyond courage,” Ms Beazley said.
“It was that good person in you, in which we and the rest of the community thanks you and stands in awe.”
After making the joke, “Nothing’s as good as a parking sticker,” Ms Beazley presented Mr Ahmed with two gifts.
The first was a governor’s coin, and the second a Christmas decoration.
Mr Ahmed received a symbolic key to the city from the Waverley Council. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
‘My heart cries’
Mr Ahmed thanked the attendees and officials, then opened up about the fateful day.
“With that day when I just enter Bondi … it was very easy. I don’t know. It was God; God’s choice to make everything by minute, by number. All the situation was 10 minutes from when I [had arrived],” he said.
“I feel honestly for all those lost and still I feel sadness about Bondi and my heart cries, but what I want to say, we have to be strong and stand with each other and wish peace for this beautiful land.”
Mr Ahmed also shared a story about going to the barber before the ceremony, where he claimed someone said: “I still don’t understand how you run into the guy with a gun … no-one can do that.”
Mr Ahmed says his “heart cries” and he still feels sadness about what happened at Bondi on December 14. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
“I said, ‘why can no-one do it?’ If you have a heart and if you are Australian, and when you see someone evil come to hurt your people, are you going to stand and watch and look?'” he said.
“Myself, I’m choosing myself as Australian, as a good citizen, everyone has to go in and show in for Australia and for all our family.”
