Ahmed Ouf: I went to Bondi and hugged people who'd never spoken to a Muslim before
Read Cumberland councillor's deleted opinion piece for the Sydney Morning Herald
This opinion piece by Cumberland councillor Ahmed Ouf was originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, December 24. It was deleted from the Herald’s website following complaints from the Australian Jewish Association. Opinions expressed are those of the author alone.
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This week, I went to Bondi because I wanted to help, in whatever way I could.
Like many Australians, I could not sleep after seeing the images from the night of Sunday, December 14. Terrified children, parents using their bodies to protect their loved ones and people running in fear across the famous Bondi sands.
The scenes were deeply unsettling. When confronted with injustice or harm, I find it difficult to remain still. I feel compelled to act, to show up, to help, to offer whatever I can.
I went to Bondi with Australia front of mind; the Australia I want to live in and help build, as a human being, as a father, as a Muslim and as an elected representative. As a member of a minority that regularly faces discrimination and as part of a community that has experienced terrorist attacks and violence in places of worship, including in Christchurch, I felt a responsibility to show solidarity.
In moments of tragedy, minorities must stand together. We share the burden of fear and exclusion, and we must work with one another to overcome it.
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This instinct to be part of the solution is not new to me; it has shaped who I am and why I do what I do, and it is the reason I ran for federal parliament last year.
My father is a humanitarian doctor, a surgeon who has travelled the world providing care in war zones, refugee camps, and disaster-affected regions. From him, I learnt that conflict should not paralyse us. Presence and solidarity matters. Showing up is often the first step toward healing.
Like him, I believe deeply in the sanctity of human life. I am just another Ahmed, like the hero Ahmed al Ahmed, and I would not hesitate to put myself in harm’s way to protect others.
I know that fear, division and hate often intensify after acts of violence. The right to worship and to live safely must be protected for everyone. Just as I worry for my hijab-wearing sisters and bearded Muslim brothers, I worry for Jewish children celebrating Hanukkah and Jewish men wearing the kippah. No one should live in fear because of who they are or how they worship. Human rights, whether here or internationally, need to be universal and unalienable, and I will defend them for everyone regardless of their faith or race.
When we showed up in Bondi, we were met with warmth and openness. There were countless hugs from people who had never interacted with a Muslim before. There were moments of genuine connection and shared grief. One young man exchanged numbers with us, suggesting we organise a soccer match between his Jewish friends and my Muslim friends. We laughed, joking that soccer might be too competitive and that perhaps badminton would be a better choice. These small human interactions mattered more than any speech or statement.
At the same time, showing up was not easy. What lingered with me was the confusion and hesitation some people expressed towards our presence, and unspoken uncertainty about whether Muslims were capable of grieving this tragedy in the same way. The assumption of shared sorrow was not automatically extended to us.
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Let me be clear: everyone I know is devastated by what happened in Bondi. We grieve deeply, share the fear, the shock and the concern for the safety of our communities, just as anyone else does.
In an increasingly divided world, each of us faces a choice. We can retreat into our comfort zones and distance ourselves from one another, or we can engage and connect. I will always choose connection. My community and I will return to Bondi to continue showing solidarity. And as a proud elected member of Cumberland Council, one of the most diverse communities in Sydney, I extend an open invitation to our Jewish brothers and sisters. Our doors, and our hearts, are open.
Grassroots engagement is the only way forward. It may be uncomfortable, but it is essential if we are to meaningfully address antisemitism and Islamophobia, not as political tools, but as lived realities that harm real people. We must resist efforts to weaponise grief or silence necessary conversations.
The unknown often breeds fear. I am just another Ahmed, doing what I can to protect the sanctity of human life and help build an Australia that is compassionate, connected and safe for all.
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Ahmed, your words are what I would have hoped for from Australia's federal and state leaders, full of love for all people.
I am left wondering why the Australian Jewish Association objected. Other comments might share some insights on this?
Thank you for publishing this piece, we are all better for such thoughtful contributions. I hope many more people have the chance to talk to someone from a community unfamiliar to them. It's always time well spent. And my wish is that our Parliaments look and sound like the Australia of 2025, the lack of demographic diversity is a staggering reflection of how far off the myth of the 'fair go' we are.