A striking sand art tribute created in India and a sombre memorial gathering in Sydney have together reflected the depth of global grief following the Bondi Beach terror attack that killed 15 people and shattered a community.
In Puri, India, internationally renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik paid tribute to the victims through a large-scale sand installation carrying the message, “Crush Terror for a Safer World.”
The artwork, created as a gesture of solidarity, drew attention from tourists and locals alike, with Pattnaik stating that India stood firmly with Australia in condemning terrorism and violence.
Thousands of kilometres away in Sydney, a heavy stillness descended on the forecourt of Bondi Pavilion as mourners gathered to remember those killed in Sunday evening’s attack during a public Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach.
The grief of the crowd centred on 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the attack. Her father, speaking briefly through tears, told mourners she was their first child born in Australia and symbolised the future they believed they had found here.
What began as a small vigil grew steadily into a gathering of thousands. Flowers, candles and photographs filled the space outside the pavilion, transforming the beachfront into a place of collective mourning.
Community leaders read aloud the names of those identified so far — including religious leaders, volunteers, Holocaust survivors, professionals and family members — many remembered for acts of courage and selflessness in their final moments.
Some mourners spoke of narrow escapes, of children shielded from gunfire and families forever changed. Others stood silently, clutching portraits or lighting candles, their grief too raw for words.
Fundraising efforts began alongside the memorial, with volunteers collecting donations for families left behind, particularly those with young children. Within days, hundreds of thousands of dollars had been raised, reflecting a city determined to support those most affected.
Faith leaders from across Sydney addressed the crowd, calling on Australians of all backgrounds to confront hatred and antisemitism together. Prayers in Hebrew were followed by Advance Australia Fair, as candles were lit and the menorah prepared once again — a symbol, speakers said, of refusing to let violence extinguish faith or community.
As the memorials continue, investigations into the attack remain underway. Indian authorities have formally ruled out any connection between India or the state of Telangana and the radicalisation of Sajid Akram, one of the perpetrators. Telangana Police confirmed Akram had no criminal or security record in India before migrating to Australia in 1998 and said there was no evidence of any local influence contributing to his actions.
Australian authorities have declared the Bondi Beach shooting a terrorist attack, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating investigators are increasingly confident it was ideologically motivated, citing evidence recovered at the scene.
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