In a riveting exclusive interview, Ahmed Al Ahmed, the 44-year-old Syrian-born Muslim shop owner hailed as a hero for tackling a gunman during the horrific Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting on December 14, 2025, revealed the exact words he shouted while risking his life to stop the carnage. As bullets flew at the crowded beachfront celebration in Sydney, Al Ahmed lunged from behind parked cars, jumped on the attacker’s back, and yelled, “Drop your gun, stop doing what you’re doing!” His brave intervention disarmed Sajid Akram, 52, allowing bystanders to escape before police fatally shot the gunman. Shot five times himself, Al Ahmed’s actions saved countless lives in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an “act of antisemitic terror.”

The attack unfolded during a joyful Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach, attended by families lighting menorahs and enjoying festivities. Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, 28, allegedly planned the assault for months, opening fire from the ground and a nearby footbridge. The rampage killed 15 people—including Akram himself—and injured dozens, with 40 hospitalized. Witnesses described chaos: screams, people fleeing into the surf, and blood staining the sand. Al Ahmed, a local business owner and father of two, acted on instinct. “I don’t want to see people killed in front of me, I don’t want to see blood, I don’t want to hear his gun, I don’t want to see people screaming and begging,” he told CBS News. “My target was just to take the gun from him.”

Al Ahmed’s heroism transcended divisions. A Muslim intervening at a Jewish event symbolized unity amid hate, earning praise from leaders worldwide. Albanese called him “an inspiration for all Australians—a very humble man.” New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon noted multiple bystanders, including Al Ahmed, helped save lives. After disarming Akram, Al Ahmed picked up the weapon and aimed it as the gunman fled. Naveed Akram was wounded and charged with 59 offenses, including terrorism-related counts. An independent review into intelligence failures was announced, probing how federal agencies missed warning signs.

Al Ahmed underwent three surgeries and spent weeks recovering, with a GoFundMe raising over $2.5 million for his family. His parents told media he was driven by “conscience and humanity.” This incident, one of Australia’s worst mass shootings, has sparked national mourning and debates on gun laws, antisemitism, and community vigilance. Bondi Beach, iconic for its vibrant surf culture, became a site of tragedy, with memorials growing daily.

The attack’s motives appear rooted in extremism, with the Akrams radicalized online. It highlights rising global antisemitism, exacerbated by conflicts abroad. Yet, stories like Al Ahmed’s offer hope—ordinary people rising in extraordinary moments. As investigations continue, his words echo as a defiant stand against hate.

In a polarized world, Al Ahmed’s courage reminds us that bravery knows no boundaries. His recovery and the nation’s healing will take time, but his legacy inspires unity and resilience.