News of Ahmed al-Ahmed’s selfless act quickly reached al-Nayrab, where locals say it proves religion or birthplace no barrier to heroism
A man who risked his life to wrestle a gun from a shooter in the Bondi beach terror attack on Sunday has become a hero in his home town in Syria.
Video of Ahmed al-Ahmed’s selfless act quickly reached his birthplace of al-Nayrab, a small town in the countryside of Idlib, north-west Syria. Ahmed, a 44-year-old father of two children, left the village to emigrate to Australia in 2007. He initially worked in construction, but soon opened a fruit and vegetable shop in Sydney.
“His act is a source of pride for us and for Syria,” said farmer Mohammed, a 60-year-old uncle of Ahmed. Mohammed said he discovered his nephew’s bravery through social media, coming across the video on his feed.
On Sunday, two gunmen, alleged to be 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, attacked a Hanukah celebration on the Sydney beach, killing 15 people. One of the alleged gunmen also died.
