The shopkeeper hailed as a hero for disarming a gunman during the Bondi Beach terror attack has been presented with a cheque for more than £1.2 million (AU$2.5 million), donated by thousands of people from across the globe.
A Hero's Actions Amidst Tragedy
Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Syrian-born fruit seller, was recovering in hospital when he received the life-changing sum on December 18, 2025. The father-of-two was shot five times after he crept up on and tackled one of the suspected shooters who unleashed terror at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, during Jewish Hanukkah festivities.
The attack, declared a terror incident by authorities, left 15 innocent people dead. Officials stated that even more lives would have been lost without Ahmed's brave intervention. He wrestled the weapon from one attacker and pointed it back at him without firing, before being shot by a second assailant.
A Moving Tribute from the World
The massive fundraiser was organised in the wake of the atrocity, with donations flooding in from tens of thousands of people. TikTokker Zachary Dereniowski handed Ahmed the cheque, signed by 'loving humans across the world.'
Visibly moved, Ahmed asked, "I deserve it?" before thanking everyone. He urged people to "stand with each other, all human beings" and to "forget everything bad in the past, and save lives."
"When I saved the people, I did it from the heart," he said. "Everyone was enjoying, celebrating with their kids. Everyone was happy, and they deserve to enjoy and it is their right. This country is the best country in the world, but we are not going to keep watching, enough is enough."
He concluded his powerful message with "God protect Australia" and the patriotic cheer "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie."
Community Bravery and Lasting Impact
Ahmed's heroism was not the only act of courage that day. Other bystanders have been praised for their efforts during the Bondi Beach massacre.
Reuven Morrison, 62, was among those killed, but before his death he managed to throw a brick at the attacker after Ahmed had disarmed him. His daughter, Sheina Gutnick, told CBS News her father died "fighting a terrorist" and protecting his community.
Another man was filmed kicking away the alleged attacker's rifle moments after the shooting began. The victims included a ten-year-old girl named Matilda, Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, and British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger.
Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 15 counts of murder and other offences. The second suspected gunman, his father Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police. Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, visited Ahmed in hospital to thank him personally for his extraordinary bravery.
