Canberra: Australia is observing a national day of mourning for the victims of last month’s mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire during a Jewish community celebration, killing 15 people.
Flags across the country are flying at half-staff, with a national moment of silence scheduled for 7:01 pm Sydney time (08:01 GMT). Memorial services are being held at the Sydney Opera House and Bondi’s Chabad House, a Jewish community centre. Most of the victims were members of the Jewish community, including a 10-year-old child.
The memorials are centred on the theme ‘Light will win’, with the federal government staging light installations in Canberra and other cities. The displays feature pillars of light representing each of the 15 victims.
On this National Day of Mourning, we wrap our arms around the Jewish community. pic.twitter.com/Z74TU71Di6
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) January 21, 2026
The events also honour those who responded to the tragedy, including first responders and Bondi shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, who intervened during the attack and wrestled a firearm from one of the assailants.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked that, “When we look to Bondi, we don’t just see a beach.” Albanese added that, “We see it as part of our promise to the world, a welcoming embrace, a famous crescent of sand and water where there’s room for everyone. This is a place where nothing should break except for the waves, but a lot broke that night. It was a tragic attack, not just on Jewish Australians, but on the Australian way of life.”
Bondi is internationally recognised for its iconic beach and is also historically home to one of Australia’s largest Jewish communities. The Bondi shooting is being described as the deadliest attack of its kind in the country in more than 30 years.
The primary suspect, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot and killed by police during the attack. Akram, an Indian national, had entered Australia on a visa in 1998. His 24-year-old son, Naveed — an Australian citizen — remains in custody and has been charged with terrorism offences and 15 counts of murder.
Authorities say the attackers were inspired by the extremist group ISIL (ISIS). In response to the tragedy, the Australian Parliament has approved tougher gun laws, including the introduction of a gun buyback scheme and stricter licence background checks.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Albanese also announced the launch of a royal commission into anti-Semitism and social cohesion, as part of a broader national strategy to combat hate crimes.
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