BONDI Beach hero Ahmed Al Ahmed has revealed the eight words he shouted while disarming an ISIS gunman.
The father-of-two rushed towards gunfire at a Jewish Hanukkah festival on December 14, tackling alleged gunman Sajid Akram50, and wrenching a shotgun from his hands as terrified families fled for their lives.
It has emerged he is now living in a luxury Crown Casino penthouse after receiving a $2.5million (£1.2m) GoFundMe payout for his bravery.
In an interview with US broadcaster CBS NewsMr Al Ahmed revealed the split-second decision that drove him to act – insisting fear never crossed his mind as the massacre unfolded around him.
He said: “I did not worry about anything.
“My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being – and not killing innocent people.”
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Footage of the moment shows Mr Al Ahmed charging Akram from behind, gripping him with one arm while trying to wrestle the weapon away as shots continued to ring out across the beach.
Recalling the terrifying encounter, the Sydney shop owner said: “I hold him with my right hand and start saying a word, you know, like to warn him – ‘drop your gun, stop doing what you’re doing’.”
Moments later, Akram’s son and alleged accomplice Naveed – who police say carried out the deadliest part of the attack – allegedly shot Mr Al Ahmed several times as he struggled with the gunman.
Despite being hit by bullets, Mr Al Ahmed believes his actions prevented further bloodshed and saved countless lives.
He said: “Lots of people… but I feel sorry still for the lost.”
The massacre claimed the lives of 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, and left at least 40 others injured.
Cops later declared the shooting a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community, describing it as Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996.
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son Naveed was taken to hospital under guard.
He has since been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.
Mr Al Ahmed described the overwhelming force that pushed him forward as chaos erupted on the sand.
“Emotionally, I’m doing something, which is I feel something, a power in my body, my brain,” he said.
“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, asking for help.
“That’s my soul asking me to do that.”
In the days following the attack, Mr Al Ahmed was overwhelmed by public support, with tens of thousands of people donating to an online appeal in his name.
From his hospital bed, still recovering from his injuries, he was presented with a cheque worth A$2.5 million (£1.24m; $1.7m).
He had been shot five times, with several bullets striking his shoulder, and has already undergone at least three operations.
His former immigration lawyer Sam Issa warned the extent of his injuries was far more serious than initially reported.
“He’s having multiple surgeries, he’s got five gunshot wounds. It’s a serious injury – far more serious than has been reported,” he told The Australian, adding there were fears Mr Al Ahmed could lose his arm.
Despite the life-changing sum raised in his name, Mr Al Ahmed remained visibly humble.
The tobacconist quietly asked: “I deserve it?”
But he also used the moment to call for unity and an end to hatred.
“We’re not going to stand and keep watching, enough is enough,” he said.
Asked what message he wanted to send to the world, Mr Al Ahmed replied: “To stand with each other, all human beings.”
“And forget everything bad behind the back [in the past] and keep going to save life. Save lives.”
“When I do, save the people, I do it from the heart.”
He said everyone on Bondi Beach that evening had a right to enjoy their day without fear.
“It’s their right,” he said.
Mr Al Ahmed also praised his adopted home, describing Australia as “the best country in the world”.
Raising his fist, he added: “God protect Australia. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!”
Earlier this week, the Daily Mail spotted Mr Al Ahmed standing on the balcony of a lavish penthouse suite at Crown’s Barangaroo hotel, located on the 33rd floor overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has since visited him in hospital, describing him as “the best of our country”, while NSW Premier Chris Minns labelled him a “real-life hero”.
Mr Al Ahmed’s parents previously told BBC Arabic that their son was “driven by his sentiment, conscience and humanity”.
Footage from the scene also showed a police officer taking cover behind a tree before firing towards the attackers.
Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza is believed to have fired the fatal shot that killed Sajid Akram, with police describing it as a “once in a lifetime shot”, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The officer’s actions brought the beachfront massacre to an end.
It later emerged that only two uniformed officers were on duty at the Chanukah by the Sea event when the shooting began.
Premier Minns told Sky News Australia: “The police were tasked with being on the site during the festival.”
“My understanding is that there were two in the park during or at the beginning of the shooting, the assassinations,” he said.
“And there were police in the vicinity, so a patrol car pulled up within moments of the firing beginning.”
“I think it’s important to note that police, obviously, when the shooting began, did engage the shooters and there’s two in critical condition in NSW hospitals.”
Witnesses said the attackers fired into the crowd for up to 10 minutes as families celebrated the Jewish festival of lights, The Times of Israel reported.
A 14-year-old girl injured in the attack has also been hailed a heroine after using her wounded body to shield two children whose mothers had been killed.
Police say Sajid and Naveed Akram arrived at Bondi Beach just before 6.40pm in a silver Hyundai Elantra, armed with rifles and ammunition strapped to their waists.
The pair had reportedly been staying in a short-term rental in Campsie after travelling to the Philippines weeks earlier – a trip now under scrutiny over possible extremist influence.
Naveed Akram remains in hospital under police guard after waking from a coma on Tuesday.
He now faces dozens of charges, including terrorism and mass murder.