Australia to Observe National Day of Mourning on January 22 in Memory of Terror Attack Victims

Canberra — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that a national day of mourning will be observed on January 22 to honor the victims of the terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Xinhua reported.

According to Xinhua, speaking at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday, Prime Minister Albanese said that flags will be flown at half-mast at all government buildings across Australia on January 22. The attack took place on December 14 at Bondi Beach, targeting an event held to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

The prime minister said the day of mourning will be observed under the theme “Light Will Win,” as a gathering for unity and remembrance.

Meanwhile, citing the need to strengthen laws related to hate speech and gun ownership in response to the attack, Prime Minister Albanese announced on Monday that the federal parliament will be recalled two weeks early, ending its summer recess to reconvene on January 19. The government plans to pass relevant legislation during the session.

Fifteen people were killed in the Bondi Beach attack. The attackers were identified as Naveed Akram and his father, Sajid Akram, the latter of whom was shot dead by police.

According to Australian authorities, the attack was inspired by Islamic State (IS) ideology. Naveed Akram has been charged with 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.