Ahmed Al Ahmed has spoken from his hospital bed. Credit: Instagram/TRT World
The hero who courageously disarmed one of the shooters at Bondi Beach on Sunday has spoken publicly for the first time since the horrific attack that was targeted at the Jewish community.
Ahmed Al Ahmed heroically intervened as two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, killing 15 innocent people.
Footage of Mr Al Ahmed wrestling a weapon from one of the shooters quickly went viral on social media across the world following the attack.
The 43-year-old has been at St George Hospital in Sydney’s southeast receiving treatment for the multiple gunshot wounds he sustained during the massacre.
It is understood he has several bullets stuck inside him after he was shot four to five times in the shoulder and will require numerous surgeries to remove them.
After a visit from NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday evening, Turkish news broadcaster TRT World has shared a translated video of Mr Ahmed speaking from his hospital bed.
“I appreciate the efforts of everyone,” he said in Arabic.
“May Allah reward you and grant wellbeing.
Through Allah, I went through a very difficult phase, only Allah knows it.”
Mr Ahmed asked for his mother to pray for him.
“I ask my mother, the apple of my eye, to pray for me. Pray for me, my mother,” he said.
“God willing, it will be a minor injury.
“Pray for me that Allah eases our situation, and deliver us from this hardship.”
Donations pour in for Ahmed Al Ahmed
There has been an outpouring of community support following Sunday’s attack, with two separate fundraisers gathering funds for Mr Al Ahmed.
At the time of writing, an accumulative $2.1 million has been raised from over 30,000 donors who have saluted his bravery as he recovers from surgery after sustaining gunshot wounds in the horrific attack.
“After witnessing the extraordinary actions of the hero who helped disarm one of the attackers during the Bondi tragedy, an act that prevented the loss of countless more lives, we felt compelled to act,” the message on GoFundMe reads.
“In a moment of chaos and danger, he stepped forward without hesitation. His actions were selfless, instinctive, and undeniably heroic, taken without regard for his own safety. Early reports indicate he was shot twice in the process while protecting others.
“This GoFundMe has been created to show our gratitude and support for someone who demonstrated incredible courage when it mattered most.”
