ON December 14, 2025, Bondi Beach in Sydney became the site of a tragic incident involving two armed individuals, reportedly affiliated with ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), who opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration, a significant Jewish religious observance. The attack resulted in over a dozen fatalities and nearly 20 critical injuries, all among Jewish participants.
The incident elicited widespread global condemnation and outrage. Amidst this act of violence, an extraordinary display of heroism emerged. Ahmad al-Ahmad, a Syrian refugee, bravely confronted the assailants and successfully disarmed them, thereby averting further loss of life. Ahmad al-Ahmad’s heroic act mirrors the courageous deed of some Muslims during the Pahalgam attack on tourists earlier this year.
This juxtaposition underscores the intricate narratives surrounding Muslims in discussions on Islamophobia, revealing a complex interplay between violent extremism and acts of heroism within the same demographic. Such instances challenge monolithic portrayals of Muslims and invite a nuanced understanding of the socio-political and cultural factors influencing these dynamics in contemporary contexts.
Assailants Influenced by ISIS
The Bondi Beach assailants, Sajid Akram (50) and his 24-year-old son, Naved Akram, collectively faced a total of 59 criminal charges. Sajid Akram was fatally wounded by law enforcement at the incident site, while Naved Akram sustained serious injuries but later regained consciousness and is currently undergoing interrogation. Preliminary investigations indicate that both individuals may have been influenced by ideologies associated with ISIS. This unfortunate occurrence has reignited discussions surrounding Islamophobia, while simultaneously being contextualised within the broader framework of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Australia is the world’s smallest continent and the seventh-largest country, located in the southeastern hemisphere with a population of just under 30 million. Its vast size and oceanic surroundings have historically made Australia a destination for migrants from various regions. As a result, the nation is home to a diverse range of cultures and faiths that generally exist together peacefully. The Australian government promotes population growth, and while Christianity remains the majority religion, Islam has seen significant growth over the past five decades. Currently, nearly 1.8 million Muslims reside in Australia, a notable number of whom are Syrian refugees who arrived following the Arab Spring of 2011.
Australia is home to approximately 120,000 Jews, making it the third-largest Jewish population outside of Israel. In recent months, the Australian government has expressed support for recognising Palestine as an independent state and has advocated for addressing the challenges faced by Palestinians. Similar sentiments have gained traction across Europe, where large-scale public protests have prompted governments to reassess their positions. The United Nations is also experiencing increasing pressure on this matter.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has recently designated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal. This has resulted in increased isolation for him, even among previous allies. Countries that host him may have a legal duty to arrest him. Since the events of October 7, 2023, Israel has faced increasing diplomatic and economic isolation. In this light, the tragic incident leading to the deaths of innocent Jews at Bondi Beach has, perhaps unwittingly, provided Netanyahu and the Israeli government with a significant propaganda boost. Israel claims that there has been a surge in anti-Jewish incidents worldwide following October 7,2023. However, numerous international organisations dispute this notion, arguing that what is often labelled as antisemitism is, in fact, a broad international outcry against the violence committed by the Israeli state.
Underlying Factors
To truly grasp the profound tragedy that has unfolded, it is essential to explore the underlying factors that have allowed groups like ISIS to gain traction. The 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies led to the destabilisation of a nation that had already faced immense struggles. The fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime set off a chain reaction of chaos, political instability, and civil strife, creating an environment where armed militias could thrive. In the midst of this turmoil, ISIS found its footing, emerging under various names before taking the world by surprise in 2014 when Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a so-called “Caliphate.” Understanding this context helps us to appreciate the human suffering that has resulted from these events.
In the early stages of its emergence, certain segments within the Muslim community expressed a fleeting sympathy for ISIS, influenced by specific ideological narratives. However, this sentiment was short-lived, as a broad coalition of Muslim governments, eminent religious scholars, and major global Islamic institutions unequivocally repudiated ISIS’s claims to legitimacy. The group’s actions swiftly revealed that it was not an authentic representation of Islam, but rather fundamentally opposed to its core principles.
Following the Arab Spring, ISIS managed to seize control of significant territories in Iraq and Syria, but within a two-year timeframe, it faced substantial territorial losses. During its tenure of control, the organisation engaged in systematic oil extraction and illicit trade in Iraq, with sales reportedly reaching international markets, thereby contributing to price volatility that has ongoing ramifications for global oil markets. Furthermore, ISIS was responsible for the obliteration of numerous Islamic cultural heritage sites, extensive looting of museums, and the international sale of priceless artefacts. The group also engaged in widespread atrocities, including the mass killings of civilians, underscoring its brutal approach to governance.
According to various international think tanks, from 2014 to 2016, ISIS emerged as one of the most financially powerful militant organisations, accumulating nearly two billion dollars in revenue. Its armaments, which were reportedly sourced from manufacturers in Europe, China, and Russia, were primarily acquired from Iraqi military stockpiles, raising significant concerns regarding security measures within a nation supported by a US-backed administration.
In essence, ISIS functioned similarly to a mercenary force. At its zenith, the group included approximately 30,000 fighters, many of whom were former soldiers and police officers from Iraq. Additionally, around 100,000 individuals were engaged in logistical and administrative roles to support the organisation. Funding for ISIS was derived from activities such as looting, oil theft, and various cash transfers. Notably, evidence indicates that within two years, an estimated 60 million dollars were transferred to ISIS from a company based in the United States. Despite the identification of those involved and the initiation of legal proceedings in American courts, meaningful consequences or punishments did not materialise.
As of today, ISIS is estimated to have around 10,000 fighters, primarily active in regions of Africa, including Sudan. This raises an important question regarding the global response to ISIS, an organisation widely classified as a terrorist group. Despite the significant military actions taken in other conflict zones, such as Gaza, which resulted in extensive destruction and loss of life, the international community has not managed to eliminate this relatively small group over the course of more than a decade—the reasons for this apparent disparity in response warrant further examination.
Fundamental Questions
In any act of violence, it is essential to consider two fundamental questions: who benefits, and why? In the context of the Bondi Beach attack, it is imperative to inquire about what Islam and the Muslim community gained from this event. The answer is unequivocally evident—nothing. Organisations such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS have only succeeded in bringing disrepute to Islam, marginalising Muslims further within global society, and reinforcing anti-Muslim narratives in Western contexts.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Muslims found themselves unfairly defensive once again, as Western media overflowed with pro-Israel narratives. This incident was quickly and predictably tied to the Israel–Palestine conflict. Just months earlier, the Israeli prime minister had directly confronted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regarding his country’s stance on Palestine. Similar pressures have been applied to France, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, reflecting a broader pattern in international relations.
Global observers have noted that the situation in Israel is increasingly framed by some as part of a broader rise in antisemitic violence. This perspective can unintentionally shift focus away from critical issues such as state actions, ongoing corruption investigations, and the international challenges facing certain leaders. It is important to approach the tragic loss of innocent lives with sensitivity and honesty rather than allowing it to overshadow other significant matters.
Additionally, Muslims need to acknowledge a challenging reality: groups like ISIS have often misappropriated the name of Islam for their purposes. Their activities can serve to harm the perception of Islam and contribute to a climate of Islamophobia, which many parties may exploit for their own agendas. After years of conflict, it is becoming clearer that those who claim to fight for faith may, in reality, be acting against its core principles, manipulated by interests that are not aligned with the true spirit of Islam.
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Dr Tasleem Ahmad Rehmani is president of Muslim Political Council of India and a prominent political analyst. The views expressed here are the author’s own and Clarion India does not necessarily subscribe to them.
