ALGERIAN PARLIAMENT OPENS DEBATE ON BILL TO CRIMINALISE FRENCH COLONIAL RULE. (PHOTO).
Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian tobacco shop owner, has been hailed as a national hero in Australia after disarming one of two gunmen who opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach. The attack over the weekend tragically left 15 people dead.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised al Ahmed on Tuesday while visiting a Sydney hospital where he is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds. “At a moment where we have seen evil perpetrated, he shines out as an example of the strength of humanity,” Albanese said. “We are a brave country. Ahmed al Ahmed represents the best of our country.”
Al Ahmed faces a long road to recovery, but support has poured in. More than 40,000 people have donated to an online fundraiser for his recovery, including billionaire hedge fund manager William Ackman, who contributed AU$99,000 ($66,000). Zachery Dereniowski, known online as MDMotivator, surprised al Ahmed in the hospital with a check for 2.5 million Australian dollars ($1.6 million) raised by 43,000 donors.
Reflecting on the outpouring of support, al Ahmed said, “To stand with each other, all human beings, and forget everything bad behind the pack and keep going to save life. When I do save the people, I do it from the heart. Everyone was enjoying, celebrating with their kids, women, men, and teenagers, all happy, and they deserve it. This is the best country in the world, but we’re not going to stand and keep watching. Enough is enough.”
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