On Thursday, Australia’s prime minister said he would consider the possibility of granting citizenship to Muhammad Taha, a Pakistani security guard who was injured in a knife attack at a Sydney shopping center. The attack also led to the death of one person.
Taha spoke to The Australian newspaper from his hospital bed and explained that he believes he should be granted Australian citizenship as recognition for surviving the attack. He described being attacked shortly after his colleague, Faraz Tahir, another Pakistani security guard, was among the six victims in the incident at the Westfield shopping complex in Bondi Junction.
Taha’s current visa is a graduate visa that is set to expire in less than a month. He expressed concern about his immigration status and his future in Australia after the visa expiration.
Taha also mentioned the case of Damien Guerot, a man from France who became known as “bollard man” after a video of him using a bollard to defend against the attacker went viral. Guerot was offered permanent residency in Australia after his actions in the incident.
The prime minister’s consideration of Taha’s case comes as Australia continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragic attack and the impact it had on the victims and their families. It remains to be seen whether Taha will be granted Australian citizenship, but his story highlights the bravery of those involved in the attack and the support they may need in its wake.
