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What happened: Anti-Muslim social media users are falsely claiming that a Sydney man who disarmed a shooter at the Bondi Beach massacre of Jews is a Maronite Christian. In fact, the man, Ahmed al Ahmed, is a Muslim born in Syria.
Context: On Dec. 14, two gunmen killed 15 people and injured at least 42 others at an event celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach, in New South Wales, Australia, authorities said. One of the suspected gunmen, Sajib Akram, was shot and killed by police, while his son, Naveed Akram, was shot but survived. Australian officials say the massacre of civilians was inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS).
During the attack, a bystander tackled one of the alleged gunmen, Sajib Akram, and disarmed him, according to news reports.
Multiple news organizations released an eyewitness’s video showing the bystander’s intervention, leading many to label him a hero. News outlets soon identified the man as a Muslim fruit shop owner in Sydney named Ahmed al Ahmed.
A closer look: In the hours after the attack, conservative and anti-Islam social media users,...
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