This Indian Uber driver helped save lives at Bondi. Now he’s able to call Sydney home

An Indian Uber driver who played a pivotal role in aiding victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack has been granted permanent residency in Australia. Rahemath Pasha, 37, arrived in the country in 2022 on a student visa and has since lived in Sefton, southwest Sydney, while pursuing studies at a culinary school in Parramatta and working part-time as an Uber driver. His life took a dramatic turn on December 14 of last year, when he was near Bondi Beach when the attack occurred. Initially mistaking the gunfire for fireworks, Pasha quickly realized the gravity of the situation and rushed to assist the wounded. Pasha had just dropped off a passenger at Bondi Beach when he heard the gunshots. With the car's boot still open from a panicked passenger who had hastily loaded luggage before fleeing, he parked his vehicle and ran toward the chaos. For several hours, he worked alongside emergency responders, helping to move injured individuals onto stretchers and offering comfort to those lying on the ground. “People were crying, and people were raising their hands for help, so I couldn't resist myself,” he later recounted. “I was talking to the victims, comforting them. I'm trying to do whatever I can.” Following the attack, which marked Australia’s worst terrorist incident, Pasha received recognition for his actions. Immigration Minister Tony Burke intervened on his behalf, leading to the granting of a subclass 151 visa in April, allowing him to remain in Australia permanently. His wife and three children, two daughters and a son, are currently applying for their own visas to join him. Pasha recently visited his family in India and is set to return to Sydney this month. However, his family must await approval of their visas, a process he estimates could take up to a year. Pasha described the emotional impact of the attack, noting that he continues to suffer from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He expressed gratitude for the government’s support, including access to counseling services that have helped him cope with the trauma. Despite his training as a chef, the experience at Bondi shifted his perspective on work. “I want to take a job where I can serve people,” he said, reflecting on the profound effect of witnessing such devastation. The attack left a deep impression on Pasha, who recalled the scene vividly. “I have seen the green grass turning... red on that day, taking so many innocent lives,” he said. Even now, he experiences lingering effects of the trauma. “I can still feel at nighttime: people are still calling me for help, and it’s really very bad,” he admitted. “So far, every night whenever I go to bed, I won’t go to bed without praying for them.” His nightly prayers include asking for divine assistance to help the victims forget the incident and recover as soon as possible. Born in Hyderabad, a southern Indian city, Pasha is Muslim, sharing the same origin as the accused gunman, Sajid Akram. The city gained international attention following the attack as global media searched for information about Akram’s background. Pasha emphasized that no religion promotes violence. “No religion will teach you to harm anyone, you know? Not even Christianity, not even Islam, not even any religion. No one teaches you to harm anyone,” he stated. Raised in a religious environment that emphasizes compassion, Pasha highlighted the teachings of Islam, which encourage saving lives. “I have been raised with that religion only, and I have always been taught from my religion to always help people. In Islam, it says that if you save one human, it’s like you have saved the whole humanity.” His actions during the attack reflect these values, underscoring the importance of community and mutual aid in times of crisis.