Brother-in-law of rabbi murdered in Sydney attack visits Muslim hero who fought terrorist

The meeting took place at al-Ahmed’s hospital bedside, where he is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

An Israeli rabbi whose relative was killed in the Bondi Beach Chanukah shooting visited a Sydney hospital this week to meet the Muslim civilian credited with stopping one of the terrorists, in a moment that highlighted appreciation for bravery in the aftermath of the attack that left 15 people dead and dozens wounded.

Rabbi Mendel Kastel, the brother-in-law of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was murdered in the assault, met with Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Syrian-born Muslim who intervened during the attack and helped neutralize one of the gunmen.

The meeting took place at al-Ahmed’s hospital bedside, where he is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds.

According to Kan News, the encounter was attended by al-Ahmed’s attorney, Sam Issa, and members of Kastel’s family. Speaking directly to al-Ahmed, Kastel thanked him for his actions during the chaos at the Bondi Beach celebration. “Thank you-not only for saving lives, but for your courage,” Kastel said. “The fact that you come from a non-Jewish background, from a Muslim background, makes this especially meaningful. Thank you very much.”

Al-Ahmed responded by stressing common humanity over religious or ethnic differences. “We are all brothers, we are all human beings,” he said. “No matter what happens, no matter what religion, we must stand together and save lives.” He added that the visit itself carried deep personal meaning.

During the meeting, Kastel introduced al-Ahmed to his brother Zalman and presented him with a symbolic gift linked to a long-standing Chabad tradition. Kastel explained that the Lubavitcher Rebbe would distribute a single dollar to individuals each Sunday, encouraging them to add another dollar and give both to charity. “I want to give you the dollar the Rebbe gave me in 1988,” Kastel said.

Al-Ahmed thanked the rabbi reflected on the circumstances that brought him to the scene of the attack. “We are all human beings, and saving lives is what matters,” he said. “I went out with my cousin to buy something and get a haircut, but God sent me to save lives.”

Issa provided details on his client’s medical condition, saying al-Ahmed remains hospitalized and faces a lengthy recovery. “He was shot four times in his left arm and has lost feeling in the limb,” Issa said, adding that several surgeries are expected.

Despite the injuries, Issa said al-Ahmed has remained resolute. “He told me that despite the pain and everything he went through, he would do it again,” Issa said. “He knows that he saved many lives.”