Ahmed al-Ahmed, the 44-year-old shopkeeper hailed as a hero for confronting gunmen during the Bondi beach terror attack, is making a strong recovery and could be discharged from hospital soon, according to members of Sydney's Syrian community.
A Long Road to Recovery After Multiple Surgeries
The tobacco shop owner from Sydney's south has undergone three rounds of surgery at a Sydney hospital since the attack. He sustained five gunshot wounds to his left arm and shoulder during the incident, which targeted a Hanukah event and claimed 15 lives.
Tamer Kahil, an orthopaedic surgeon and member of the local Syrian community who has visited Ahmed, reported that the wounds have been cleaned, cleared of shrapnel, and are now closing and healing effectively. "He looks happier … He's a humble person and he's a shy person as well," Kahil said, adding that Ahmed's continued improvement means he will probably be able to leave the hospital in the near future.
Life-Changing Injuries and Overwhelming Support
However, the road to full recovery remains long. Lubaba Alhmidi AlKahil, media director for the Australians for Syria Association, indicated that due to nerve damage, Ahmed's left arm is not expected to regain normal function for at least six months. Consequently, he is unlikely to reopen his Sutherland shop soon, where hundreds of well-wishers have left notes and flowers in tribute.
Instead, his focus will be on rest and spending time with his family. "He needs to get rest, he needs to spend time with his family, he has been away from his wife and daughters for a long time," AlKahil explained.
The shopkeeper's bravery has drawn attention from the highest levels. He has been visited by a stream of well-wishers and dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, the NSW Premier, the Australian Governor General, and David Ossip, president of NSW's Jewish board of deputies. Ossip praised Ahmed's "unbelievable bravery" at a Sunday vigil for the attack's victims, which was attended by Ahmed's father, Mohamed Fateh al-Ahmed.
Financial Support and Future Recognition
In a remarkable show of public gratitude, a global wave of sympathy translated into a $2.5 million donation raised for Ahmed via a GoFundMe campaign. When presented with the novelty cheque in his hospital room, the modest hero reportedly asked, "I deserve it?"
The Prime Minister has also announced a new honours list for heroes of the Bondi attack, and AlKahil said she expects Ahmed's actions to be formally recognised. His former migration lawyer, Sam Issa, has called for Ahmed's parents, who have been visiting from Syria, to be granted Australian citizenship so they can remain with their son.
Reflecting on the profound change in his life, AlKahil noted, "Now he is a very famous person. He has a fortune. He needs to think a lot about what is the next step in his life while they surround him with all love and care they can." Despite the fame and fortune, those close to him say Ahmed feels peaceful and grateful for the outpouring of support from people of all backgrounds and faiths.
