Ahmed al Ahmed, the Syrian-born man who risked his life by disarming an attacker during Australia’s deadly Bondi Beach shooting, has become a source of pride in his hometown of Al-Nayrab in northwestern Syria.
Gatekeepers News reports that “his act is a source of pride for us and for Syria,” Ahmed’s uncle, Mohammed, a farmer, told AFP from the town.
Ahmed, a fruit seller and father of two, emigrated from Syria to Australia in 2007, his 60-year-old uncle said. On Sunday, the 44-year-old intercepted an attack on a gathering for a Jewish festival marking the start of Hanukkah, wrestling a gun from one of the assailants despite being shot several times in the shoulder.
The attack left 15 people dead.
Mohammed said he recognised his nephew after seeing a video of the incident circulating online.
“I suspected that this was my nephew, so I called his father and he confirmed to me that Ahmed was the one who took the weapon,” he said.
The footage shows Ahmed ducking between parked cars as gunfire erupts before grappling with one of the attackers and seizing the weapon.
“This incident caused a global sensation. He is from Syria and he is a Muslim, and he had no motivation for doing this other than heroism and bravery,” Mohammed added.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attack appeared to be “motivated by Islamic State ideology,” according to national broadcaster ABC. Visiting Ahmed in hospital, Albanese praised his actions, saying “his bravery is an inspiration for all Australians.”
An online fundraiser set up to support Ahmed has raised more than A$1.9 million ($1.2 million) to help cover his medical expenses.
‘Brave’
According to his uncle, Ahmed initially worked in construction after arriving in Australia before opening a fruit and vegetable shop in Sydney. His parents had travelled to visit him more than two months ago and were still in Australia at the time of the attack.
Back in Al-Nayrab, which suffered heavy bombardment during Syria’s war, Ahmed’s grandmother prayed for his recovery from the family’s modest home.
“May God be pleased with him and grant him success,” she said.
Located in Idlib province, Al-Nayrab was among areas that slipped from President Bashar al-Assad’s control early in the conflict. As residents rebuild following Assad’s ouster in 2024, Ahmed’s name has been on everyone’s lips.
His own home, however, remains abandoned, with missing doors and windows and a roof still damaged by bombing.
“We are proud of what Ahmed, the son of our village, did… his act was heroic and no one else could have done it,” said Abdul Rahman al-Mohammed, 30, as he worked in his tyre repair shop.
“He saved innocent lives. We ask God for his speedy recovery,” he added.
Sorting boxes of apples outside his home, Youssef al-Ali, an old friend, recalled their evenings together before Ahmed left Syria.
“When I saw on Facebook that he was injured, I was very upset, but his was a heroic act, may God heal his wounds,” the 45-year-old told AFP.
“He has always been brave, a man of principle.”
