Bravery, kindness and compassion: Ahmed al Ahmed and other Bondi heroes to be honoured, says PM Albanese

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that people who showed courage, kindness, and compassion during the deadly Bondi terror attack will be honoured with special national awards. He said the nation has seen both extreme hatred and extraordinary humanity during this tragic time.

Speaking on Christmas Day in Sydney, Albanese said the government plans to create a special honours system to recognise civilians and first responders who risked their lives to help others during the antisemitic attack on a Hanukkah celebration. The attack, which took place on December 14 at a beachside event in Bondi, killed 15 people and deeply shocked the country.

One of the people to be honoured is Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian Muslim. During the attack, he bravely disarmed one of the attackers. He was injured while trying to protect others but still managed to stop further harm. Albanese praised him and others like him, saying their actions showed the true spirit of humanity.

The Prime Minister said this Christmas felt very different for Australia. While the nation is mourning and dealing with fear and sadness, it is also witnessing powerful acts of bravery and selflessness. He said Australians saw “the worst of humanity” through extremist violence, but also “the best of humanity” through people who ran toward danger to help strangers.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram. Both were shot dead by police. Authorities say the incident was the worst mass killing in Australia since 1996 and was motivated by antisemitism and extremist ideology linked to ISIS.

Albanese explained that the proposed honours would be given through Australia’s existing honours and awards system. People will be nominated and recommended for bravery or meritorious service based on their actions during and after the attack. He said it is important to officially recognise such courage so that these heroes are never forgotten.

A nation in grief

The days following the attack have been very difficult for Australia, especially for the Jewish community. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the period as a “difficult fortnight” filled with pain, fear, and heartbreak.

Speaking alongside Albanese, Minns urged Australians to stand together and support their Jewish neighbours. He said it was important for the entire country to show love and unity during this time. “Everybody in Australia needs to wrap their arms around them and lift them up,” he said. “Australians have got their back.”

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Minns said the attack had left many people feeling unsafe, especially during the holiday season. He stressed that hate and violence should not divide the nation and that solidarity was the strongest response to extremism.

The Prime Minister echoed this message, saying Australia must reject hatred in all forms. He said the actions of brave citizens and first responders showed that love and compassion are stronger than fear.

Tougher gun laws

Just days after the attack, the New South Wales government passed some of the toughest gun laws in the country’s history. The new laws were approved on Christmas Eve and are aimed at reducing the risk of future violence.

Under the reforms, individual gun ownership will be limited to a maximum of four firearms. High-risk weapons, such as pump-action guns, will be reclassified, making them harder to own. Licensing rules have also been tightened. Gun permits will now last only two years instead of longer periods.

The new laws restrict gun ownership to Australian citizens and remove the option to appeal if a licence application is denied. Authorities say these steps are necessary to prevent dangerous individuals from gaining access to weapons.

Minns said that while gun reform alone cannot end hatred or extremism, it is still an important step. “We can’t fail to act on restricting access to weapons which could lead to further violence,” he said earlier while introducing the legislation.

In addition to gun laws, the state government has introduced other measures to improve public safety. These include banning the public display of terrorist symbols and giving police more power to limit public gatherings in certain areas after terror incidents.

Officials say these steps are meant to protect communities and prevent further attacks, while still respecting democratic values.

As Australia moves forward, leaders are calling for unity, compassion, and courage. The government hopes that honouring everyday heroes like Ahmed al Ahmed will remind people that even in moments of great darkness, acts of bravery and kindness can shine through.