Light Will Win

‘Let us look to his example and confront hatred with the urgency and action it demands’ – Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York CityThe inspiring and uplifting memoir of Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed, a story of humanity, hope and courage. On a typical Sydney summer afternoon, families gathered at Bondi Beach to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights. Darkness descended when two gunmen opened fire on the crowd.

As one of the gunmen advanced on the innocent civilians, Ahmed Al Ahmed surprised and disarmed him. His split-second decision saved countless lives. Ahmed was subsequently shot five times, leaving lasting nerve damage and two bullets still in his left arm.

The viral footage of the Syrian-born Australian Muslim man's heroism drew praise worldwide. That day, Ahmed stopped hatred in its tracks. His early life in Syria was shaped by hardship and violence, after which he vowed never to harm another – or allow others to do harm.

Ahmed's humbling story, from Syria to that fateful day on Sydney's shores, shows us what true strength is. In a compassionate, insightful and warmly told memoir, Ahmed reminds us how light will always extinguish the dark. ‘Ahmed al Ahmed represented the best of Islam: protecting people in danger’ – Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister of Australia