- Muhammad Taha was one of the first to confront Joel Cauchi
- The guard raised the alarm after he was stabbed
- Like ‘Bollard Man’, his skills visa expires next month
- But the government has not made any citizenship offer
- READ MORE: Emmanuel Macron declares ‘Bollard Man’ a French hero
A security guard who was stabbed in the stomach after bravely confronting mad knifeman Joel Cauchi has asked why he was not offered citizenship as a ‘Bollard Man’.
Muhammad Taha, who is originally from Pakistan, was patrolling the fourth floor of Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon when Cauchi started randomly stabbing strangers.
Mr Taha and his new colleague, Faraz Tahir, ran towards Cauchi, unaware that he was wielding a 30cm hunting knife.
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 who were tragically killed.
Meanwhile, Mr Taha was stabbed in the stomach but managed to call other security personnel for help, making him one of the first people to raise the alarm.
Muhammad Taha (pictured above), who is originally from Pakistan, was patrolling the fourth floor of Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon when Joel Cauchi started randomly stabbing strangers
Joel Cauchi is pictured during the rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction
Mr Taha was stabbed in the stomach but managed to call other security personnel for help. This made him one of the first people to raise the alarm (photo: he is still recovering in hospital)
“Another individual bravely tried to stop the attacker using a bollard and was subsequently offered a residency permit by the Australian Prime Minister for his courageous actions,” Taha said. The Australian from his hospital bed.
“Similarly, I believe that, as a direct victim of the incident, I deserve recognition and attention for my citizenship.
“Moreover, the guards who worked next to them came running to the point of the incident and risked their lives… (they) should also be given citizenship.”
Mr Taha was referring to Frenchman Damien Guerot who went viral after footage of him looking at Cauchi at the top of an escalator while holding a bollard went viral.
He was quickly nicknamed the ‘Bollard Man’ and for his bravery, Anthony Albanese offered him citizenship on Tuesday, claiming he was ‘welcome to stay as long’ as he wants.
But Mr Taha, whose subclass 487 skilled visa expires next month, has questioned why the same recognition has not been extended to himself and other first responders who faced danger.
Daily Mail Australia approached the Prime Minister’s office for comment.
Damien Guerot was offered citizenship by Anthony Albanese because of his courage
Frenchman Damien Guerot went viral after footage 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, bride-to-be Dawn Singleton, 25 – daughter of millionaire businessman John Singleton – mother of two Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Chinese national Yixuan Cheng, 27.
The terrifying ordeal came to an end when Senior Police Officer Amy Scott shot Cauchi dead after telling him to drop the knife.
Westfield will reopen on Thursday for a day of ‘quiet’ reflection within the community before trading resumes on Friday.