The man who tackled one of the Bondi shooters has spoken from hospital as he recovers from his injuries and has been visited by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who praised him as “the best of our country”.
Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, risked his life to disarm one of the alleged Bondi attackers and save multiple lives in Sydney on Sunday evening.
Turkey’s public broadcaster, TRT World, on Tuesday posted a video of Ahmed being wheeled around hospital while he sent prayers to supporters.
“I appreciate the efforts of everyone,” he said in Arabic.
“May Allah reward you and grant you wellbeing. God willing, we will return to you with joy. Thank you for your efforts.
“I went through a very difficult phase, only Allah knows it … I ask my mother, the apple of my eye, to pray for me.”
The governor general, Sam Mostyn, visited the Syrian-born shopkeeper on Tuesday afternoon at St George hospital in Sydney’s south, where he had undergone surgery on two gunshot wounds.
Carrying flowers picked from Admiralty House, she thanked him on behalf of the public and of King Charles, who she said had specifically asked after the man overnight.
“For Ahmed, he wants to send thanks for … that moment of absolute heroics that we’ve all been staggered by and so grateful for,” Mostyn said.
She said she expected Ahmed would receive a bravery award and that he had already been nominated “many, many times”.
The prime minister on Tuesday morning spent nearly half an hour visiting the man he described as “the best of our country”
Ahmed thanked Anthony Albanese as he lay in his hospital bed, a fluid drip and bouquets of flowers beside him, with his left harm heavily bandaged.
“Your heart is strong, your courage is inspiring,” Abbanese said, shaking Ahmed’s right hand in a video posted to Instagram.
The prime minister told reporters the man was recovering ahead of further surgery on Wednesday and explained his thought processes on Sunday evening during their conversation.
“He was trying to get a cup of coffee, simple as that, and found himself at a moment where people were being shot in front of him,” the prime minister said.
“He decided to take action and his bravery is an inspiration for all Australians. He is a very humble man.”
Albanese also met Ahmed’s mother and father in the hospital, visiting from Syria, who he said were “very proud” of their son.
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, visited Ahmed in hospital and spoke to him on Monday night.
The former prime minister John Howard also lauded Ahmed’s bravery, speaking to Sky News on Tuesday.
“The single act of greatest courage we’ve seen is that magnificent man who tackled the bloke with the gun, and I understand he’s a Muslim,” Howard said.
“There are good people of every persuasion in this wonderful country about and although it’s a terrible tragedy and a reminder that anything can happen here, we should not lose faith in the Australian achievement.”
A GoFundMe set up to support the man has attracted over $2m in donations, including a $99,999 donation from William Ackman, the US billionaire and founder of hedge fund Pershing Square. (The Guardian)