Australian prime miner praises Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed as ‘best of our country’ | World News

Prime Miner Anthony Albanese has visited Ahmed al-Ahmed in hospital. (Screengrab/X/@AlboMP)

Prime Miner Anthony Albanese has visited Ahmed al-Ahmed in hospital, praising the stander who tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi Beach attackers as “the best of our country”.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, 44, was shot several times in the shoulder after confronting the gunman during Sunday’s attack in Sydney. He remains in hospital and is due to undergo further surgery.

“He is a true Australian hero. He’s very humble,” Albanese said after spending nearly half an hour with him.

Ahmed, you are an Australian hero.You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terror.In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians. And that’s exactly what we saw on Sunday night.On behalf of every Australian, I… pic.twitter.com/mAoObU3TZD— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 16, 2025

In a message shared the prime miner on social media, Albanese said: “Ahmed, you are an Australian hero. You put yourself at risk to save others, running towards danger on Bondi Beach and disarming a terror. In the worst of times, we see the best of Australians.”

Albanese told reporters that Ahmed had simply been going about his day when the shooting began. “He was trying to get a cup of coffee, simple as that, and found himself in a moment where people were being shot in front of him,” he said. “He decided to take action.”

Ahmed, a Syrian-born shopkeeper, also spoke briefly from hospital in a video shared Turkey’s public broadcaster TRT World, thanking supporters and asking for prayers. “I went through a very difficult phase, only Allah knows it,” he said.Story continues below this ad

The governor general, Sam Mostyn, also visited Ahmed at St George hospital in Sydney’s south, thanking him on behalf of the public and King Charles, who she said had asked after him. She said Ahmed was likely to receive a bravery award and had already been nominated several times.

Ahmed, who was born in Syria, came to Australia in 2006. (Photo: X/ Chris Minns)

New South Wales premier Chris Minns visited Ahmed on Monday night, while former prime miner John Howard also praised his actions, calling them an example of courage and community spirit.

A fundraising appeal set up to support Ahmed has raised more than $2m, The Guardian reported.