Abdoulaye Bathily

A Malian hero who saved lives during the 2015 Paris terror attacks and became an advocate for interfaith harmony

Abdoulaye Bathily, born in 1986 in Mali, is a supermarket employee who became an international symbol of courage after the November 13, 2015 Paris terror attacks. During the siege at the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket, Bathily guided 17 customers to safety by leading them to a basement storeroom. He hid them for hours, providing food and water while communicating with police via his phone. His actions saved all 17 hostages, earning him France’s highest honor, the Legion of Honour, and global recognition as a hero.

Bathily’s story transcends mere heroism; he embodies interfaith solidarity. A practicing Muslim, he risked his life to protect Jewish customers, highlighting shared human values over religious divides. Post-attack, he returned to his modest life in France but became an advocate for community cohesion. He delivered a TED Talk in 2017 titled 'The Power of Kindness in Times of Terror,' emphasizing empathy and grassroots resilience. His memoir Survivre à Paris (Surviving Paris) chronicles his experiences and reflections on global terrorism.

Beyond France, Bathily’s legacy inspires African diaspora communities. He partners with Malian NGOs to promote education and peacebuilding, leveraging his platform to address poverty’s root causes. His story was featured in BBC and NPR reports, underscoring how ordinary individuals can catalyze extraordinary change.