In this life we believe in what we believe … simply because we believe in what we believe.
This word BELIEF collectively comes with
- Courage
- Bravery
- Ability
- Strength
- And conviction.
Belief, if it is missing any of the above, can never reach high magnitude.
And pure belief does not take sides or even consider one’s colour or creed because the word BELIEF comes unstained and remains pure under any circumstances.
These few words of introduction in my annual Christmas message of this year are made in order to express the reality and absolute truth of belief in action as witnessed a few days ago in and around Bondi Beach in Australia, the scene of the country’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years.
Forty-three-year-old Ahmed Al Ahmed, a Muslim father-of-two, hid behind parked cars before charging at one of the gunmen from behind, seizing his rifle and knocking him to the ground.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ahmed’s bravery saved lives. He was shot twice by a second perpetrator, hit in the hand and arm, and is recovering in hospital.
The Syrian-born Sydney fruit shop-owner was meeting a friend for coffee in the area when the attack on Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah unfolded, and was captured on camera charging at one of the gunmen and disarming him.
This demonstrated the strength and power of belief that man has been bestowed upon by the Creator.
Ahmed Al Ahmed did not take into consideration his own safety, or that his two beloved daughters could become orphans, because the inner outcry of his conscience – the highest level of humanness – erased fear, hesitation and, perhaps, even logic of mind.
It empowered him to jump into action, by order of no-one, except his belief.
It was a belief that as a human being he should act, MUST act, to save, if possible, the souls that were about to become soulless. Fifteen were killed in the attack, including a 10-year-old girl.
Our hero only found out later that the target of hate was a gathering of innocent Jewish families at a time when the Jews in command in Israel, in less than two years, have murdered or injured more than 50,000 Palestinian children, according to the United Nations. “He acted impulsively without thinking who the people were that were being killed - without knowing their religion, if they were Muslim or Christian or Jewish. That’s what made him jump up and carry out this heroic act,” a family member told reporters.
Ahmed Al Ahmed did what he did out of humanness because he knew right from wrong and acted accordingly.
In today’s open sky of news, when everything happening on every corner of the world can reach all of us in seconds, we should all demonstrate our courage and convictions more openly to eradicate the unjust and to spread the message of care and kindness to our fellow human beings.
Ahmed Al Ahmed’s actions will remain a living lesson to all of us, and especially at this festive season, highlight that there are still, in this world, many graceful disciples.
We wish him a speedy recovery and, from my heart, I wish all of mankind a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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