Faraz Tahir, the brave security guard who lost his life protecting shoppers from a knife-wielding assailant at Bondi Junction Westfield, was bid farewell as a ‘national hero’ at a poignant funeral service in north-west Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offering deepest sympathies on behalf of the Government and the people of Australia observed that:
“Without doubt, he helped save lives on that devastating day at Bondi Junction. He ran toward danger, to protect people he had never even met….Australia will always be grateful to Faraz Tahir. May he rest in eternal peace.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiment and added that the state mourns the goodness Faraz still had to offer.
The 30-year-old was on his first day shift as a security guard when he courageously confronted the attacker during the tragic events of April 13, one of six lives claimed in the harrowing incident.
In 2019, Faraz, an Ahmadiuya Mulsim, left his homeland of Pakistan, after escaping persecution in Pakistan and seeking refuge in Sri Lanka as an asylum seeker.
Three years later, in 2023, he found sanctuary in Melbourne, granted a refugee visa that offered hope for a brighter future. Drawn by familial ties, Tahir eventually made his way to Brisbane, where his aunt and cousin had settled.
Later, settling in Sydney, Faraz eagerly embraced the prospect of a stable and secure life, cherishing the opportunity to build a new beginning.
Faraz leaves behind three brothers and two sisters, having previously lost both his parents.
Mourners gathered at the Baitul Huda mosque in Marsden Park to pay their respects and offer prayers for Tahir, whose selfless act will forever be etched in the nation’s memory.
Among those paying tribute was Tahir’s colleague, Muhammad Taha, who bravely stood by his side during the attack, sustaining serious injuries. Despite his condition, Taha sought permission to attend the funeral, a testament to the profound bond shared between the two comrades.
As the community mourns the loss of Faraz, his unwavering bravery serves as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us of the extraordinary courage that resides within ordinary individuals.
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