'Hero' Muslim employee who saved lives at Kosher supermarket in Paris praised for his courage as he is granted citizenship by France<br /> <br /> The Muslim kosher supermarket employee who saved several shoppers lives during the Paris attack has been granted French citizenship.<br /> Lassana Bathily, 24, was praised for his 'courage and heroism' by Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve during a ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Manuel Valls.<br /> Mr Cazeneuve said Mali-born Bathily's 'act of humanity has become a symbol of an Islam of peace and tolerance.'<br /> <br /> <br /> 'Tonight I'm very proud and deeply touched,' Mr Bathily, who went to school in Paris, said with tears in his eyes.<br /> He humbly stressed that he does not consider himself a hero, saying: 'I am Lassana. I'll stay true to myself.'<br /> <br /> <br /> 'People are all equal to me and skin color isn't a matter. France is the country of human rights,' he added.<br /> Mr Bathily was in the store's underground stockroom when gunman Amedy Coulibaly burst in to the Hyper Cacher supermarket in Porte de Vincennes, Paris, on January 9 and killed four people.<br /> The 24-year-old guided terrified customers to safety in a supermarket chiller and has since been praised around the world for his quick-thinking and bravery.<br /> <br /> Photo shows: Selfless: When gunman Amedy Coulibaly entered the shop, Lassana Bathily turned off the freezer and hid shoppers inside before sneaking out and helping police free the hostages<br /> ©Exclusivepix Media