A Muslim man credited with helping stop one of the attackers during the deadly terror assault on a Chanukah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach has received more than A$2.5 million (about $1.65 million USD) in public donations, drawing praise from Australian leaders and international figures amid a broader reckoning over extremist violence.

Ahmed al Ahmed, 43, remains hospitalized after suffering gunshot wounds while intervening in Sunday night’s attack, which killed 15 people and has been linked by authorities to Islamic State ideology. On Friday, he was presented with an oversized check at his hospital bed following a viral fundraising campaign that drew contributions from more than 43,000 donors worldwide.

The fundraiser was organized through GoFundMe and co-led by social media personality Zachery Dereniowski. Videos posted online show Dereniowski presenting the check to Ahmed at St. George Hospital.

“I deserve it?” Ahmed asks in the video.

“Every penny,” Dereniowski replies.

According to authorities, Ahmed hid behind parked cars as two shooters opened fire at the beachside Chanukah event. He then charged one of the gunmen from behind, wrestled the firearm away, and knocked the attacker to the ground. Ahmed was later shot, apparently by the second perpetrator, and underwent surgery. He remains in recovery.

Australian officials have cited Ahmed’s actions as a critical act of bravery during the deadliest antisemitic attacks in the country’s history.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns both visited Ahmed in the hospital this week, publicly praising his actions and highlighting the role of bystanders who attempted to intervene during the attack.

Among the donors to the fundraising campaign was billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who contributed A$99,999 and shared the fundraiser on X. The campaign gained rapid traction online as footage and firsthand accounts of Ahmed’s actions circulated globally.

The shooters were Sajid Akram, 50, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid Akram was killed by police during the attack. Naveed Akram survived and was charged Wednesday with 15 counts of murder, committing an act of terrorism, and dozens of additional serious offenses.

Ahmed, a tobacco shop owner and father of two, immigrated to Australia nearly 20 years ago after leaving Syria’s northwest Idlib province in search of work and stability.

“To stand with each other, all human beings,” Ahmed said when asked what message he would offer donors. “Forget everything bad … and keep going to save life.”

He described his decision to intervene as instinctive rather than heroic.

“When I saved the people, I did it from the heart,” he said. “It was a nice day. Everyone enjoying celebrating, with their kids — women, men, teenagers — everyone was happy. And they deserve to enjoy.”

Officials noted that Ahmed was not the only individual who attempted to stop the attackers. Boris and Sofia Gurman, a Russian Jewish immigrant couple aged 69 and 61, were killed after struggling with the gunmen in an effort to prevent the shooting. Reuven Morrison was also killed after throwing bricks at the attackers.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)