The man who saved countless lives during the Bondi Beach massacre is currently in New York, not only to receive more medical treatment, but with the hope of meeting US President Donald Trump.
Syrian-born Ahmed Al Ahmed declared his love for Trump on arrival to the United States as he was flanked by FBI agents on landing in Los Angeles.
The 43-year-old is now in Trump’s home town of New York where he’ll undergo further medical treatment after he was shot multiple times in the December 14 terrorist attack.
On his arrival to the US he was asked if he’d like to meet Trump and he enthusiastically replied: ‘I wish. He’s a hero of the world, of course. I love him. He’s a strong man.
Mr Ahmed was a guest of honour at the annual Colel Chabad awards in New York – a Jewish private gala which costs AU$1,483 per ticket.
He now has about 5,000 Instagram followers who he told recently: ‘On my way to start my treatment journey in the United States. I kindly ask everyone to keep me in their prayers. Thank you for your love and support.’
Mr Ahmed was shot multiple times before he disarmed one of the alleged Bondi gunmen on that fateful December 14 evening.
His actions were caught on CCTV footage and he’s been hailed a hero by Aussies, and many around the world, for his bravery.
Mr Ahmed arrived in New York recently and is hoping to meet Donald Trump
Mr Ahmed described the US President as a hero of the world
Mr Ahmed has revealed why he didn’t shoot his alleged attacker
Ahmed Al Ahmed is pictured (l-r) with Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, father-in-law of the Bondi victim Rabbi Eli Schlanger, and CNN anchors Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga
In an interview with CNN, Al Ahmed explained why, after wrestling a firearm from mass shooter Sajid Akram, he did not shoot back at his alleged attacker.
‘I did it as a human being. I didn’t shoot him because I was doing it as humility, to stop him from killing more innocent human beings,’ Mr Ahmed said.
‘I get five shots, it’s fine to save life. My blood for my country, Australia and for human beings around the whole world, anywhere and any place.’
Mr Ahmed spent two weeks at Sydney’s St George Hospital and has undergone extensive surgeries for bullet wounds to his chest, shoulder and arm.
Days before he arrived in the US, he was celebrated alongside other Bondi victims during the Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
He was recognised for his bravery alongside first responders, as well as lifeguards and lifesavers.
His arm remains in a sling after he suffered gunshot wounds during the terror attack that claimed 15 innocent lives.
‘My target was just to take the gun from him and to stop him from killing a human being, life, and not killing innocent people,’ he told CBS.
During his hospitalisation, more than 43,000 people donated a total of $2.5 million to him through a GoFundMe. He has since sold his convenience store in Sydney’s south.