In Confronting Terrorism… Heroic Stances of Muslims in the West

In the heart of the bloody tragic scene witnessed by the city of Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, August 14, 2025, which resulted in the fall of dozens of innocent civilian victims between dead and wounded, the name of the Muslim Ahmed Al-Ahmad emerged as a true hero and noble man, when he risked his life and directly intervened to strip one of the attackers of his weapon, in a courageous stance without which—after the success granted by God—the lives of hundreds would have been lost.

This heroic act aroused the admiration of Australian society and received wide official and popular praise. In this context, the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, said that what Al-Ahmad did is “one of the most unbelievable scenes,” adding: “This man is a true hero, and many are still alive tonight thanks to his courage.”

The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also praised the act of Al-Ahmad and others of the civilians who rushed to help, considering them “true examples of courage and human solidarity.”

But this noble and heroic Muslim stance is not an exceptional case or isolated incident, but rather an extension of a series of honorable stances recorded by Muslims in different Western countries, in which they confronted terrorist attacks and criminal acts that almost claimed the lives of large numbers of innocents, were it not for their courage and swift intervention, risking themselves for the sake of saving others.

Such stances open the chest and bring pride, because they represent a practical embodiment of the authentic Islamic values in protecting lives, courage, and defending the innocent. They are the true, shining image of Islam that the world ought to see, far from distortion and unjust generalization.

And to refresh memory, and by way of example not limitation, we review below some of these heroic models in the European continent:

Norway… Elderly Muslim Prevents Massacre Inside Mosque

On August 10, 2019, Al-Noor Mosque in the suburbs of the Norwegian capital Oslo was subjected to a terrorist attack carried out by a 21-year-old Norwegian youth carrying extremist right-wing ideas, as he opened fire inside the mosque and intended to kill a large number of worshippers.

But one of the mosque’s attendees, an elderly man named Mohammed Rafiq, confronted him with rare courage, managed to overpower him, and prevented the occurrence of a bloody terrorist massacre. The Norwegian press called him “the brave man,” considering that he saved the Muslims, and indeed saved all of Norway from a major calamity.

Rafiq was officially honored by the mayor and the police chief of the area, along with another Muslim named Mohammed Iqbal, who helped immobilize the attacker and hand him over to the police. Later, both were granted the “Medal of Noble Action,” the highest medal in Norway, in appreciation of their heroism.

Austria… Muslim Youth Rescue the Injured Amid Bullets

On the evening of November 2, 2020, the Austrian capital Vienna witnessed a series of armed attacks that resulted in the killing of at least five people and the injury of 17 others.

In the midst of these events, three Muslim youths emerged as true heroes: Recep Tayyip Gültekin, Mikail Özün (both of Turkish origin), and Osama Joda (a Palestinian youth).

They succeeded in saving the life of a policeman and two women, as they managed to pull the injured policeman and transfer him to the ambulance despite the ongoing threat and danger of the situation.

This humanitarian act received official appreciation. Turkey honored the two Turkish youths, with the Turkish ambassador in Vienna meeting them and expressing pride in their heroism. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also held a video call with them, praising their courage.

As for the Palestinian youth Osama Joda, the Austrian police honored him by granting him the “Golden Medal,” in appreciation of his exceptional role in saving the life of the injured policeman.

Britain… Imam Extinguishes the Fire of Revenge

On Monday, June 19, 2017, a group of worshippers was subjected to a deliberate car-ramming attack while leaving Finsbury Park Mosque in North London, resulting in the death of one person and the injury of ten others.

In a remarkable humanitarian scene, Imam Mohammed Mahmoud rushed to protect the attacker—the driver—from the angry crowd who tried to assault him, and he called them to self-restraint, affirming that the correct path was to hand him over to the police, which was done. British authorities considered this stance a great service to society and clear evidence of the positive role of Muslims in Britain.

In appreciation of this courageous act, Prince William (Duke of Cambridge) awarded Imam Mohammed Mahmoud the Order of the British Empire.

The British Foreign Office said on its official page: “Imam Mohammed Mahmoud receives the Order of the British Empire, presented by Prince William at Buckingham Palace, in appreciation of his heroic act during the terrorist attack on worshippers leaving Finsbury Park Mosque in 2017.”

It added: “This honor is strong evidence of the importance of the role Muslims play in Britain in various fields.”

France… Muslim Youth Saves 15 People from Certain Death

During the terrorist attack on a Jewish store in Paris on January 9, 2015, the Muslim youth Lassana Bathily, of Malian origin, 24 years old and working in the store, undertook a heroic risk of his life for the sake of saving others.

He managed to save 15 customers, leading them to the basement and hiding them inside the cold storage room to protect them from the attacker until the police arrived.

This humanitarian stance received wide appreciation in France. Bathily was granted French citizenship in honor of his courage, became a popular hero in French public opinion, and was widely praised in the media. The French weekly L’Express considered him one of the heroes who possessed the courage to protect the lives of others before thinking of their own safety.

Indications and Messages

1.      These heroic models are the ones that ought to be celebrated and presented as true role models for Muslims in the West, especially for Muslim youth who search for meanings of heroism, courage, and sacrifice, to express through them the values of Islam and its principles in protecting human life, as came in His saying, the Exalted: {Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption in the land—it is as if he had slain mankind entirely.}  [Al-Ma’idah 5:32].

2.     These models also carry a clear message to the fair-minded in the West and the world, calling them to reconsider the stereotypes and ready-made accusations attached to Islam and Muslims, far from reality, and contradicting the human values embodied by these heroes on the ground.

3.     They also carry a call to the political and media circles in the West in particular to have a role in correcting the view of Islam and besieging the extremist right-wing thought that practices the process of frightening from Muslims in these societies.