Sopian Hadi, Badung – Tears and solemn prayers filled Ground Zero Monument in Kuta on Sunday evening as hundreds gathered to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings, one of Indonesia's darkest chapters that claimed more than 200 lives.
The interfaith prayer ceremony, attended by religious leaders, survivors, and local residents, aimed to honor the victims while spreading a message of peace and unity. Survivors stood side by side with community figures, reflecting on how the tragedy reshaped not only Bali but also Indonesia's fight against terrorism.
Among those in attendance was Tumini, a survivor from Banyuwangi, East Java, who recalled the horrifying night when she fought for her life at Paddy's Club, one of the bombing sites.
"I jumped from the second floor while my body was on fire, my intestines exposed. I couldn't feel anything anymore, I just surrendered to God," she said tearfully.
Now a mother, Tumini carries burn scars that serve as a painful reminder of the attack. Yet, she expressed gratitude for surviving and being able to raise her children. Her story stands as a testament to resilience and hope amid the ruins of tragedy.
Reverend Jonathan Suharno, deputy chairman of the Kuta Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), said the annual commemoration was not only to remember the tragedy but also to pray for world peace.
"From Bali, we send a message of peace that such humanitarian tragedies must never happen again," he said, adding that the island remains a symbol of tolerance and harmony.
As night fell, participants laid flowers at the Ground Zero Monument, their silent prayers occasionally broken by the sobs of families who lost loved ones. The moment encapsulated both grief and a renewed commitment to preserving peace.
Carried out by Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian jihadist group linked to al-Qaeda, the 2002 bombings were the deadliest terrorist attack in Indonesia's history.
On October 12, 2002, explosions tore through Paddy's Club and the Sari Club in Kuta, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians, 38 Indonesians, 23 Britons, and victims from 20 other nationalities. A smaller bomb later exploded outside the US consulate in Denpasar, causing minor damage.
The attacks crippled Bali's tourism industry, which had just begun recovering from the global travel slump after the 9/11 attacks. Tourist arrivals plunged by nearly two-thirds, and within three months, about 100,000 workers lost their jobs as hotels, restaurants, and travel businesses were forced to cut hours or close entirely. The tragedy remains a powerful reminder of Bali's resilience and enduring spirit of peace.