posted a video<\/a> of Ahmed being wheeled around hospital while he sent prayers to supporters.<\/p>\n\u201cI appreciate the efforts of everyone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMay Allah reward you and grant you wellbeing. God willing, we will return to you with joy. Thank you for your efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went through a very difficult phase, only Allah knows it \u2026 I ask my mother, the apple of my eye, to pray for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The governor-general, Sam Mostyn, visited the Syrian-born shopkeeper on Tuesday afternoon at St George hospital in Sydney\u2019s south, where he had undergone surgery on two gunshot wounds.<\/p>\n
Carrying flowers picked from Admiralty House, she thanked him on behalf of the public and of King Charles III, who she said had specifically asked after the man overnight.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Ahmed, he wants to send thanks for \u2026 that moment of absolute heroics that we\u2019ve all been staggered by and so grateful for,\u201d Mostyn said.<\/p>\n
She said she expected to give Ahmed a bravery award and he had already been nominated \u201cmany, many times\u201d.<\/p>\n
The prime minister on Tuesday morning spent nearly half an hour visiting the man he described as \u201cthe best of our country\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahmed thanked Anthony Albanese as he lay in his hospital bed, a fluid drip and bouquets of flowers beside him, with his left harm heavily bandaged.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour heart is strong, your courage is inspiring,\u201d ALbanese said, shaking Ajhem\u2019s right hand in a video posted to Instagram.<\/p>\n
The prime minister told reporters the man was recovering ahead of further surgery on Wednesday and explained his thought processes on Sunday evening during their conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was trying to get a cup of coffee, simple as that, and found himself at a moment where people were being shot in front of him,\u201d the prime minister said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe decided to take action and his bravery is an inspiration for all Australians. He is a very humble man.\u201d<\/p>\n
Albanese also met Ahmed\u2019s mother and father in the hospital, visiting from Syria, who he said were \u201cvery proud\u201d of their son.<\/p>\n
The New South Wales<\/a> premier Chris Minns, visited Ahmed in hospital and spoke to him on Monday night.<\/p>\nThe former prime minister, John Howard, also lauded Ahmed\u2019s bravery, speaking to Sky News on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe single act of greatest courage we\u2019ve seen is that magnificent man who tackled the bloke with the gun, and I understand he\u2019s a Muslim,\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are good people of every persuasion in this wonderful country about and although it\u2019s a terrible tragedy and a reminder that anything can happen here, we should not lose faith in the Australian achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n
A GoFundMe set up to support the man has attracted over $2m in donations, including a $99,999 donation from William Ackman, the US billionaire and founder of hedge fund Pershing Square.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n