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Bali bombing victims remembered
DENPASAR (indo.com): Hundreds of mourners in Indonesia,
Australia and around the world commemorated the second-year
anniversary of the Bali bombing. They have have been remembering
those who died in the Bali nightclub bombings exactly
two years ago.
Relatives of victims laid wreaths at a newly-completed
monument at the site of the blasts.
A total of 202 people were killed when two bombs tore
through Bali's tourist district on 12 October 2002. Eighty-eight
Australians died in the attacks.
In a special service in Bali on Tuesday, October 12,
2004, survivors and relatives of victims - wearing beach
shorts and black armbands - offered prayers and sang songs
in memory of those who died.
The commemoration of the two-year anniversary of the
Bali bombing started at 11 pm till dawn.
Police closed roads leading up to "ground zero"
around the clock.
On the same day, people gathered again at the monument
for a candlelight vigil that culminated at 11:15 p.m.,
the time when the bomb blasted.
The monument is a marble edifice standing near the site
of the bomb blast. The monument has been built based on
a traditional Balinese design which incorporates a fountain
and the 22 flags representing each of the countries who
lost citizens in the attack. The monument also features
the engraved names of all those who died near the site.
In a separate area of Bali, in the administrative sub-district
of Renon thousands of people carrying candles and flowers
gathered on the same Tuesday starting from 4:30 p.m. at
the Monumen Bajra Sandhi. People came in traditional dress
reflecting all of Indonesia's major cultural and religious
groups. Spiritual songs, prayers and dances were presented.
Indonesia's folk star Franku Sahilatua presented songs.
On behalf Bali's Governor, a local government official
delivered a speech calling for a peace and unity.
The ceremony closed with the ringing of a peace gong
by Bali's Chief of Police, I Made Pastika and the release
of balloons and doves by representatives of all religious
groups found in Bali.
All celebrating the differences that enrich the world
and should form the basis of peace among all people.
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