- Muhammad Taha one of the first to face Joel Cauchi
- Security guard raised alarm after being stabbed
- Like ‘Bollard Man’, his expert visa expires next month
- But the government has not made any offer of citizenship.
- READ MORE: Emmanuel Macron declares the ‘Bollard Man’ a French hero
A security guard who was stabbed in the stomach after bravely confronting knife-mad Joel Cauchi has asked why he has not been offered citizenship as ‘Bollard Man’.
Muhammad Taha, originally from Pakistan, was patrolling the fourth floor of Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon when Cauchi began stabbing random strangers.
Taha and his new colleague, Faraz Tahir, ran towards Cauchi, unaware that he was wielding a 30cm hunting sword.
Tahir, 30, who was on his first shift at the mall, was stabbed to death, becoming Cauchi’s only male victim among the six people tragically murdered.
Meanwhile, Taha was stabbed in the stomach, but managed to radio other security personnel for help, becoming one of the first people to raise the alarm.
Muhammad Taha (pictured above), originally from Pakistan, was patrolling the fourth floor of Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon when Joel Cauchi began stabbing random strangers.
Joel Cauchi pictured during the rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction
Mr Taha was stabbed in the stomach, but managed to radio other security personnel for help, becoming one of the first people to raise the alarm (pictured: he is still recovering in hospital).
“Another individual, using a bollard, bravely attempted to stop the attacker and was subsequently offered residency by the Australian Prime Minister due to his brave actions,” Mr Taha said. The Australian from his hospital bed.
‘Likewise, as a direct victim of the incident, I believe I deserve recognition and consideration as a citizen.
“Furthermore, the guards working alongside them ran to the scene of the incident and risked their lives… (they) should also be offered citizenship.”
Taha was referring to Frenchman Damien Guerot, who went viral after images of him looking at Cauchi at the top of an escalator while holding a bollard went viral.
He was quickly given the nickname ‘Bollard Man’ and, for his bravery, Anthony Albanese offered him citizenship on Tuesday, claiming he was ‘welcome to stay as long as he wanted’.
But Taha, whose expert subclass 487 visa expires next month, has questioned why the same recognition has not been extended to him and other first responders who ran toward danger.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has approached the Prime Minister’s office for comment.
Anthony Albanese offered citizenship to Damien Guerot for his bravery
Frenchman Damien Guerot, who went viral after images of him looking at Cauchi at the top of an escalator while holding a bollard went viral.
Cauchi’s other victims were all women.
They were new mother Ashlee Good, 38, future wife Dawn Singleton, 25, daughter of millionaire businessman John Singleton, mother of two, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and citizen Chinese Yixuan Cheng, 27.
The ordeal came to an end when police officer Amy Scott shot and killed Cauchi after telling him to drop the knife.
Westfield will reopen its doors on Thursday for a day of “quiet” community reflection before operations resume on Friday.