How a Syrian immigrant denied evil Bondi Beach killers the spotlight they craved
Put yourself in Ahmed al Ahmed’s shoes and imagine doing what he did, knowing that at any moment the killer could have turned around and shot him
The terrorists who opened fire on a crowd of innocent civilians, mostly Jews, killing 15 people, including a ten-year-old girl, near Sydney’s Bondi Beach doubtless wanted their crimes to be the centre of attention.
Instead, the extraordinary actions of Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old fruit shop owner originally from Syria, have provided a shining example of what heroism looks like.
Despite being unarmed, he sneaked up on and disarmed one gunman, likely saving several lives. Put yourself in his shoes and imagine doing what he did, knowing that at any moment the killer could have turned around and shot him.
Imam Qari Asim, of the British Muslim Network, said Ahmed’s courage was “a true reflection of the spirit of Islam rather than the actions of the attackers who took innocent lives through mass shooting. We stand united in opposing antisemitism, extremism and hatred in all their forms.”
There are evil, violent people of all faiths and none. But it must always be remembered that the vast majority, whatever their religion, are ordinary, peace-loving people and no group should ever be demonised because of the actions of a tiny minority.