A group of survivors and families from the 15 March mosque attacks have arrived at Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Some of the group still bearing injuries say they're hoping the pilgrimage will bring them peace and healing.
"To come to the sacred place like Mecca it is a big relief, it is a big relief mentally - it's like a holiday from what happened to you in that place," says Shehadeh Al Sinawi, who arrived on crutches and wearing a supportive brace.
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Every year Muslims travel from around the world to Mecca to complete the Hajj, a mandatory religious duty Muslims must try and complete once in their lifetime
Two hundred survivors and families of the Christchurch attack also made the pilgrimage, all guests of the Saudi Arabian King.
"For him to extend this invitation to almost 200 New Zealanders to come and perform Hajj and continue on their journey of rehabilitation has just been something so big for all of us," says Naila Hassan, one of New Zealand's top-ranked Muslim police officers.
For Al Sinawi, who was shot in the leg, his fallen friends are never far from his thoughts
"I am praying for them every day - I remember them in my Duaa every day. You know some of them were very close, they used to come and visit, sometimes on a daily basis. There is no way to forget them."
The challenge now is remembering friends while trying to forget the tragedy that happened a world away.
Newshub.
