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It was a year ago that Muhammad Taha was working as a security guard alongside his colleague Faraz Tahir when the unimaginable happened.
On 13 April 2024, — who had moved from Queensland to Sydney a month earlier — and wounded at least 10 others in the violent stabbing spree at the busy Westfield shopping centre in Bondi Junction in Sydney’s east.
Taha and Tahir’s bravery was among the that came on that devastating day. Tahir, on his first day working at the shopping centre, was stabbed as he confronted Cauchi, and Taha was wounded while he tried to help his colleague.
Taha survived. But Tahir, , was killed and two days before what would have been his 31st birthday.
“I tried my best to save him. I helped him even I was stabbed,” Taha told SBS News.
“But unfortunately when I woke up in the hospital after three to four days, then I was told that he’s no more. It was very like with the heavy heart, I was in tears. This was very heart wrenching that a colleague who is working and now he’s no more.
“It’s still a big loss to us.”
Joel Cauchi carried out his killing spree at Bondi Junction on 13 April, 2024. Source: Getty / Lisa Maree Williams
Muhammad, who was following the attack, said that since that day he hasn’t been able to step foot in a shopping centre.
“I’m still recovering,” he said.
“The physical wounds are a bit better, but the mental trauma is really huge.
“Even though it’s been one year since that incident, I have been recalling each and every second of that moment, and it was really horrible on that day.
“I guess everyone in that mall and in Australia, never imagined that this attack could happen.”
Cauchi, who police said was known to authorities in his home states and suffered from mental health difficulties, was shot dead by lone police officer Amy Scott who was later.
Vinny Howard, the owner of Glo Bar, witnessed the final moments of Cauchi’s killing spree before he was gunned down.
“It was a very confusing event. It was scary for most people. Nobody expected that to happen,” Howard told SBS News.
Howard said personally, he has dealt with the aftermath “pretty well” saying he was supported by Westfield and the community.
“I’m very thankful for the support of the community we do have … we stood together strong and that’s what made us come back confidently to work.”
Faraz Tahir was killed in the attack. Source: SBS News / Supplied
Calls for more mental health support
Independent MP Allegra Spender, whose electorate of Wentworth includes Bondi Junction, acknowledged the profound grief felt across the nation, highlighting the need for more mental health support.
“This tragedy has also shone a light on Australia’s chronic and severe mental health crisis,” she told the House of Representatives in late March.
Spender said: “We need to do more to raise our investment in mental health support to better integrate services between state and federal providers, and dramatically expand the mental health workforce to provide the best care for those in need.”
A is set to begin on 28 April and will examine the circumstances leading up to the attack, including Cauchi’s access to support services and how authorities responded on the day.
Wentworth MP Allegra Spender called for more mental health funding. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
Remembering the victims
Among the six victims were architect Jade Young, 47, student Yixuan Cheng, 27, , 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, and Pikria Darchia, 55.
Community members are using the anniversary to share stories that honour who the victims, including Adnan Qadir — a close friend of Faraz.
“Whenever I think about Faraz, I think of his smiley face, his passion and energy to serve Australia,” Qadir told SBS News.
“His family gets comfort in knowing the fact that even his last moments were reflection of what he truly believes in, that is to save other people.
“Even if you have to sacrifice your own interest, he put himself in harm’s way to save others. So I feel good about the fact that his last moment reflects what his true character was.”
This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Urdu.
Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25).
Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at
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