'Praise to Allah for everything': Bondi Beach hero in first message to loved ones

Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who confronted one of the attackers during the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, has sent his first message since the incident from his hospital room.

Ahmed thanked those who had supported him following the attack. He expressed gratitude to everyone who reached out and also conveyed a message of appreciation to his family, including his mother.

"I appreciate the efforts of everyone,"he said, according to a translation of his remarks posted by Al Jazeera English.

Tweet by Al Jazeera English

"I swear, I went through a very difficult phase only Allah knows of it. Praise to Allah for everything."

In a message to his mother,  Ahmed said, "I ask my mother, the apple of my eye, to pray for me. Pray for me, my mother. May Allah grant you a long life." He added that this is just a minor injury.