Muslim New Zealanders have reclaimed one of the mosques targeted in a deadly act of hate that took the lives of 50 worshipers.
Three thousand people queued to pray at Al Noor Mosque and pay their respects to the 43 people who were murdered there just over a week before.
At first only a small group was permitted to pass through the cordon.
'As-salaam alaikum,' police greeted them, which translates to 'peace be upon you'.
Tears were shed as worshipers returned to Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch where 43 people were killed a week before. There was a heavy police presence around the mosque
Groups of fifteen people were let into the mosque at a time. Each group was only allowed five minutes to pay their respects
Women cry as they read tributes outside Al-Noor mosque after it was reopened
But once the barricades came down the lines grew, as grieving families and those who escaped with their lives came to pray and were joined by friends and strangers who wanted to show support.
Fifteen at a time for five minutes only. Prayers were kept short but the hugs and reflection carried on through the day.
'It was very peaceful. A very deep peace,' Rehanna Ali said, describing the feeling she got being one of the first to set foot inside.
Prince El Hassan bin Talal hugs a resident during a visit to the reopened Al Noor Mosque, one of two Muslim places of worship that was attacked in the March 15 twin mosque massacre
Jordan's Prince El Hassan bin Talal says a prayer as he visits Al-Noor mosque after the reopening
Jordan's Crown Prince El Hassan bin Talal stopped at a memorial to say a prayer before entering the mosque.
Four Jordanians were killed and a number remain in hospital after the attacks on Christchurch's Masjid al Noor and Linwood Masjid.
'I have lived in a part of the world where every 10 years we have seen a war, every 10 years we have seen refugees, and to feel that this form of violence and cruelty is visited on you living in this idyllic part of the world is deeply moving,' Prince El Hassan said.
He hugged mourners outside the Al Noor mosque on Saturday after visiting four people in hospital in the morning.
A member of the Qatari delegation leaves after the official handing over of the key at the mosque's reopening
United in grief: A Muslim woman and a non-Muslim woman embrace each other and cry next to a tribute to victim Hussein Al-Umari outside Al-Noor mosque
But for others there was pain in returning. Tears were shed during prayers.
Mohamed Safeer Mohamed Ismail said he felt 'broken' about returning inside the mosque where he often prays with his wife and son.
'It was so silent,' he said. Mr Mohamed Ismail, like many, knew the victims well.
'It's not easy to come out from that.'
