Harmony Foundation Condemns Bondi Beach Killings, Hails 2 Heroes

On December 14 two gunmen opened fire on innocent people peacefully celebrating their faith, which left 16 dead in an act of gross hatred inspired by extremist Islamic ideology.

Condemning the barbaric attack, Dr Mathai, also former chairman of Maharashtra State Minorities Commission, said the Jewish community is still agonized over the pain of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Yom Kippur, and yet once again, Islamic extremists have launched a terror attack to mar a sacred Jewish celebration.

How could a terrorist attack of this magnitude occur on Australian soil? Why does it appear that adequate security measures were not in place to prevent such violence from being perpetrated against peaceful citizens celebrating their faith? Dr Mathai asked.

“The international community deserves answers. The Australian government must explain how extremist fundamentalists were able to carry out such an assault in their country. Is anti-Semitism being tacitly tolerated? We demand clarity, accountability, and immediate action.”

Dr Mathai said targeting Jewish people during a religious celebration is not merely an attack on one community but an assault on the fundamental values of freedom, tolerance, and human dignity that civilized societies hold sacred.

“We call upon the Australian government and governments worldwide to take decisive action against the radical Islamic ideologies that fuel such heinous acts of terror,” he said.

Dr Mathai hailed the two men Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Syrian Muslim and Amandeep Singh Bola, a Sikh, who made a choice that defines the very essence of humanity and delivers the most powerful rebuke to Islamic terrorism the world has ever witnessed.

“In that moment of chaos and terror, when instinct screams to run, Ahmed ran toward the danger. He rushed at one of the gunmen, leapt onto him, and wrestled the weapon from his hands in an act of breathtaking heroism,” Dr Mathai said.

Ahmed was shot four to five times in his shoulder during this life-saving act and is currently in hospital in Sydney undergoing multiple surgeries for his gunshot wounds, fighting for his recovery.

"While radical Islamic extremists perpetrated this massacre, Ahmed nearly put his own lief on the block, stopping them. He is the strongest answer to terrorism, the most powerful voice of true humanity, and a devastating blow to every radical Islamic ideology that claims to speak for Muslims. Ahmed proves that evil does not represent faith. His bloodshed is a testament to courage, compassion, and the unwavering commitment of secular Muslims who stand against terror at any cost.”

Ahmed protecting Jewish during Hanukkah is not just heroism; it is a thunderous declaration that love transcends all boundaries and that true faith means protecting the innocent, no matter who they are, Dr Mathai stressed.

He said Bola, was also a great hero, who charged at the other armed attacker and pinned him down to the ground with his bare hands until police arrived, risking his life. His singular act of breathtaking courage undoubtedly saved countless lives.

While those two attackers embodied pure evil, mercilessly gunning down people peacefully celebrating their faith, Bola stood out as a blazing light, proving that for every act of unspeakable cruelty in this world, there are people who answer with extraordinary courage and compassion.

“A Muslim man lying in a hospital bed with bullets in his body, and a Sikh man who risked everything, both protecting Jews. This is what true heroism is. Not in movies or stories, but in real life, ground zero, when real heroes go beyond the call of duty,” Dr Mathai noted.