The niece of a man who died in the Christchurch terror attack says it's comforting to see the wider community continue to pay their respects.
Wedaad Mohamedhosen says she misses going to Friday prayers with her uncle. Photo: Supplied
Mohamad Moosid Mohamedhosen, originally from Mauritius, came to New Zealand four years ago and worked as an engineer. He was killed at Linwood Mosque along with six others during Friday prayers on 15 March last year.
His niece, who lives in London, came to Christchurch last week to mark one year since the attack. She says her uncle loved New Zealand and probably moved here with a love for exploring the outdoors.
"When we come down now we try to do the same thing that we used to do with my uncle, just to enjoy New Zealand as much as we can. Obviously, we come for different reasons now [for the trial]," Wedaad says.
Mohamad Moosid Mohamedhosen. Photo: Supplied
"I make sure once I land I go and see my uncle [at the cemetery] and then we just go and read a couple of verses of the Quran. It's very peaceful where the shaheeds [martyrs] are."
She is hoping for some closure and proper time to grieve once the trial is over.
"Then hopefully we can start healing and … try to live with the fact that we probably won't see him or he won't call us."
Seeing people come to the mosque one year on to pay their respects has been comforting, she says.
"It shows that the death of my uncle and the other shaheeds [martyrs] didn't go in vain because it has brought the community together.
"We will keep coming to New Zealand, it is a very peaceful place for me, I feel very at ease, even now when he's not around."
Tributes have been laid at the entrance to Linwood Mosque on the one-year anniversary since the shootings. Photo: RNZ / Isra'a Emhail
Having known New Zealand for its peaceful nature during her frequent visits to her uncle, Wedaad says she initially did not believe there was a shooting until she saw the articles.
"I think I froze, I can't remember. I sent a message to my uncle, because he didn't send anything, I was like 'are you okay?' and he didn't reply."
She tried to get more information from the hospitals but at that stage there was none. So she booked the first flight she could to Christchurch.
"I didn't want to connect on the WiFi on the plane, because it's not how I wanted to know. I wanted to be physically in New Zealand to go and find out for myself.
"It's a blur for me sometimes, but it was pretty much the hardest three to four days, it was very long for us. But obviously coming off a 26 or 27-hour flight, and then just being thrown in the deep end, trying to look for my uncle and where he's been, it's been horrible for us."
On the following Tuesday, 19 March, it was confirmed to the family that he had passed away.
"We buried my uncle the next day … we knew there might be a mass funeral but the thing is we didn't want to wait. I think he would actually be pleased, because the thing is we buried him in Christchurch and he loved New Zealand."
Now Wedaad remembers her uncle by sticking to their Friday prayer routine, which they did together for eight years.
"I was very spoiled [by him], even 'til the very end. He was always there for me, no matter what time. We didn't lose him, he's just not around, that's how I see it. He went to the mosque and didn't come back, but I know one day he'll be around."
She says it's important for them to come back to the mosque.
People have left rocks with messages of support and drawings at the Linwood Mosque entrance on the one-year anniversary since the shootings. Photo: RNZ / Isra'a Emhail
"I feel at peace and obviously the mosque is familiar to me, because it reminds of my uncle, so I keep doing that.
"It's quite nice to see my uncle's friends as well, we kind of built a relationship with people in Linwood, because they know us and they know we're not from around here."
She says the messages of support, prayers, and gifts since last year have been overwhelming in a positive way.
"I've actually taken a couple of stones, because I think kids drew on them, I took them with me to London and then I keep a couple in Christchurch.
"It was important for me to keep some, so I know what happened and that we're not alone, because New Zealand as a whole has been grieving with us."