The bystander who tackled and disarmed one of the two gunmen during Sunday’s Bondi Beach terror attack has spoken publicly for the first time.
Speaking from his hospital bed, per news.com.au, Ahmed al Ahmed said he “appreciated the efforts of everyone”.
“May Allah reward you and grant well-being,” he said in Arabic.
“Through Allah, I went through a very difficult phase, only Allah knows it.
@10newsau The man who has been hailed a hero for disarming one of the shooters in the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney, has thanked supporters from his hospital bed after undergoing surgery on Monday. Ahmed al Ahmed said in a video posted and translated by Turkish news outlet TRT World, “I appreciate the efforts of everyone. May Allah reward you and grant you well-being. God willing, we will return to you with joy.” Thousands of people have donated more than $1.9 million through a GoFundMe set up for the 43-year-old father of two. Click the link in the bio for the latest on the Bondi Beach Shooting.
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“I ask my mother, the apple of my eye, to pray for me. Pray for me, my mother.
“God willing, it will be a minor injury.
“Pay for me that Allah eases our situation, and deliver us from this hardship.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns called Ahmed a “real life hero” in a statement on Monday evening.
“Last night, his incredible bravery no doubt saved countless lives when he disarmed a terrorist at enormous personal risk,” Minns said.
“It was an honour to spend time with him just now and to pass on the thanks of people across NSW.
“There is no doubt that more lives would have been lost if not for Ahmed’s selfless courage.”
Meanwhile on Tuesday morning, Minns said he is looking to recall parliament “as soon as possible” to introduce legislation cracking down on gun ownership and licensing in the state.
“The areas that we will look at are the perpetual nature of licences to ensure that people have to renew, we will particularly look at whether criminal intelligence, rather than criminal records, is a reason to restrict access to a licence. Of course age limits, and access to particular kinds of guns, as well as the quantity of guns,” he said.
“I’m determined to introduce the toughest gun legislation in the country, and I believe it needs to be passed and put into legislation as soon as possible.”
16 people were killed in the attack on Sunday, including one of the two gunmen, Sajid Akram, while over 40 people were hospitalised, including Ahmed and two police officers. Their conditions are currently serious. The second gunman, Sajid’s 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, is also in hospital under police guard.
NSW Police recovered six firearms from the scene in Bondi, later confirming these had been licensed to Sajid Akram. Commissioner Mal Lanyon said he had met the eligibility for a firearms licence for recreational hunting, and had held these licenses for the past ten years.
