Former teacher of Bondi beach terror suspect breaks silence as photo surfaces

Adam Ismail previously taught Arabic and the Koran to Bondi gunman Naveed Akram (Image: Facebook )

An Islamic teacher has stressed he had "absolutely no involvement" in the horror Bondi Beach terror attack which his former student is suspected of carrying out. Adam Ismail, who has been teaching the Koran for the past 10 years online and in person, shared a statement recorded on Facebook with the Daily Express in which he said he wanted to "clarify" his connection to former student Naveed Akram, who police have identified as one of the men suspected of killing 15 people after targeting a Jewish Chanukah event on Sunday evening. The other gunman, Naveed's father Sajid, aged 50, was shot dead by police. 

Mr Ismail said: "Naveed approached the centre late 2019 seeking Koranal citation and Arabic language classes, as I've done with thousands of students over the years, I taught him Koranal citation and Arabic, only, for a combined period of one year. These are the only subjects I taught him and those are the only areas I specialise in."

Addressing Sunday's atrocity, Mr Ismail added: "I condemn this act of violence without any hesitation, I am deeply saddened by what occurred and extend my sincere condolences to the victims, their families and the Jewish community affected.

Adam Ismail and Naveed Akram pictured when Naveed was studying under Mr Ismail (Image: Facebook )

"What I find deeply ironic is that the very Koran he (Naveed) was learning to recite clearly states that taking one innocent life is like killing all of humanity. This makes it clear that what unfolded yesterday at Bondi is completely forbidden in Islam, not everyone who recites the Koran understands it, or lives by its teachings, and sadly, this appears to be the case here."

Naveed, who was wounded during the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, is likely to survive his injuries, authorities have said. Australian police said a father and son were suspected of being behind the shooting on Sunday in which 15 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi.

As of late Monday afternoon, 27 people were receiving care in hospitals across Sydney, NSW Health said. Six people remain in critical condition, with the others in serious and stable condition, while police believe the ages of the dead range from 10 to 87.

Two police officers who were injured in the attack during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration remain in serious but stable conditions.

Mr Ahmed al-Ahmed wrestles the gunman (Image: X)

Sajid Akram, Naveed's father, was shot by police and died at the scene, while his 24-year-old son suffered critical injuries and was taken to the hospital under police guard.

Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, was hailed a hero for tackling Sajid before wrestling his weapon away from him after video was shared on social media. Mr al Ahmed's family said the 43-year-old fruit shop owner remains in hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand, but was in "good spirits" as they hailed him a "hero".

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, New South Wales (NSW) state police commissioner Mal Lanyon said the younger gunman is expected to live to face criminal charges.

"We do have a 24-year-old male in hospital at the moment. Based on his medical condition it is likely that person may face criminal charges," he said.

He added that police were still gathering information about the attackers.

"They are both a father and a son," he said.