The month-long observance of Ramadan is coming to an end shortly for Muslims around the world.
In Christchurch the occasion has taken on extra poignancy as the community has gathered in the Linwood and Al Noor mosques each night to break their fast together, the same mosques where 51 people lost their lives just eleven weeks ago.
RNZ was invited along to the Linwood masjid to watch a special halal hangi being put down to feed worshippers and the wider community at that night's iftar or breaking of the fast.
When RNZ arrived at the mosque, Tyrone Smith, who converted to Islam 12 years ago, was hard at work setting the fire that would heat up the iron bars and rocks that were an essential part of any good hangi.
It was not a scene you would typically expect to stumble across in the backyard of a mosque, but as Tyrone said, this wasn't your typical mosque.
"We call it masjid Aroha, it's an informal name that we give it because it's the love we feel when we come here."
During Ramadan Muslims fast between sun up and sun down as a way to empathise with those less fortunate than themselves.
It was a time for spiritual contemplation and charity and, said Tyrone, following the events of 15 March, had seen the Muslim community in Christchurch come together like never before.
"For us god is the perfectionist of timing and we think it's actually really beautiful the timing and how Ramadan has come in after the tragedy and it's a way to really unite and connect. It's just a really spiritual moment for us."
Tyrone was at work when the shootings happened.
Coming to terms with the loss of so many friends had been hard to take.
"I felt gutted and I felt sorrow, I just felt really mamae [hurt] and it was really pōuri [sad] only because of the connection I had to the masjid and to the people who had passed away, the Shaheed, I knew them personally and some of them I was with only a week before that."
Looking forward to enjoying his first ever hangi was Mohamad Firdaus who had been helping out and getting his hands dirty peeling vegetables.
He said it had provided a great opportunity to spend time together and remember the seven people who lost their lives at the masjid.
"Some of them, when you think back, those are good people in the community that we have lost but then again there's always a reason why that happened and I think in general people take this in a positive way and also we've seen a very positive energy towards our community as well which is great."
Originally from Malaysia, Mohamad is a doctor and was working at Christchurch public hospital when the shootings happened.
He rushed to the Emergency Department where dozens of the injured were being brought through the doors, many with severe injuries.
Treating members of his own community, while maintaining his professional distance was a challenge.
"Honestly it's been quite tough for me. Some of the victims I know them and the ones who have died, I know some of them as well. It was quite a tough time for me. I guess it's quite fortunate for me because the hospital and my department has been very supportive of me. They gave me the time that I needed to recover from the incident and they really supported me all the way through."
David Hansen converted to Islam three years ago.
"It's more peaceful. I've been involved with many churches who get angry and do stupid things and you always wonder why, and now with looking at the Islamic faith and meeting my wife and being introduced to it, it's so peaceful, there's no hate in any of it.
"And if somebody puts it to them they embrace them like a brother and it's gone... and the good thing is that anybody can come down the driveway and say 'hello'."
While David was at work on March 15, his brother-in-law was in the Linwood mosque and his father in law was at Deans Ave.
"They're still shattered, Shawan was inside and we lost a brother beside him and Dad was at Dean's Ave the centre and him and another brother got covered by the bookshelf that holds the Quran so [they were] blessed. But Mohammed was shaken and still smells the gunpowder in the air and still wakes up to the noises, it is still very raw to him.
"And if people haven't had that experience before, it is just like you are back there. There might not be gunpowder in the air but he will smell it. These things will take time to come out of the system. There's still a lot of shock, but there's a lot of help here for them too."
For Tyrone Smith, part of the inspiration behind becoming a Muslim was a desire to help and protect his fellow Muslims in Christchurch, many of whom came from war torn countries.
The fact he wasn't able to do this and that such terrible violence had been visited upon them in his own home town, had left him feeling like he had let his community down.
"And I don't wish that moment on anybody, no matter who you are because if you have a connection to a tragedy like that, it's something that you'd never want. What's really healing in our community is connecting, connecting with everyone, because everyone's dealing with it in a different way.
"But just to ensure that they are ok and if they need help and if you know that there's a void that needs to be filled and you can, then make sure you do it."
Ramadan will finish this Tuesday with Eid al-Fitr, a day of celebration and feasting.
