Bondi terror attack hero, Ahmed Al Ahmed, has received the Key to the City by Waverley Mayor, Will Nemesh, in recognition of his extraordinary bravery and selflessness during an attack on Jewish community members on 14 December last year.
Mr Al Ahmed, 43, was honoured at a special ceremony on Wednesday evening, where he was also presented with a lifetime beach parking permit.
“This is a token of our everlasting gratitude for Ahmed’s incredible display of heroism, fearlessness and courage,” Mayor Nemeshg said.
As attendees at the Chanukah by the Sea event were being targeted, Mr Al Ahmed single-handedly tackled and disarmed one of alleged shooters, slowing down the attack and saving countless lives, the Mayor said.
“What Ahmed did in that moment was remarkable.”
“His courageous actions were motivated by his desire to save innocent lives. In the process, Ahmed himself was shot several times and sustained serious injuries.
“When evil came to Bondi Beach, Ahmed and countless ordinary heroes did not hesitate to confront it. His instinctive courage, his willingness to put others first, and his quiet bravery will never be forgotten. Our whole community is profoundly grateful.”
Mr Al Ahmed is of one of three heroes chosen to be honoured with a Key to the City and a lifetime Waverley Beach Pass in symbolic recognition of their exceptional bravery during the attack.
At an extraordinary meeting of Council in January, a Mayoral Minute detailing various measures to acknowledge the courage of all those who put their lives on the line was passed unanimously.
Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, 20, who rushed to help a critically injured police officer during the attack, was honoured at a ceremony in February.
Gefen Bitton, 30, who ran to Mr Al Ahmed’s aide and then also confronted the alleged gunman in a bid to end his reign of terror, will be recognised at an upcoming ceremony.
