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| Christchurch attacks: Al-Noor mosque reopens to worshippers | Christchurch attacks: Al-Noor mosque reopens to worshippers |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Worshippers have returned to the Al-Noor mosque in Christchurch for the first time since a mass shooting there in which dozens of people were killed. | Worshippers have returned to the Al-Noor mosque in Christchurch for the first time since a mass shooting there in which dozens of people were killed. |
| The building had closed so police could investigate the attack but on Saturday small groups were allowed to return. | The building had closed so police could investigate the attack but on Saturday small groups were allowed to return. |
| Fifty people were killed in shootings at two mosques on 15 March. | Fifty people were killed in shootings at two mosques on 15 March. |
| As the Al Noor mosque reopened, some 3,000 people walked through Christchurch on Saturday for a 'march for love' intended to honour victims. | As the Al Noor mosque reopened, some 3,000 people walked through Christchurch on Saturday for a 'march for love' intended to honour victims. |
| Many walked in silence and some carried placards calling for peace and opposing racism. | Many walked in silence and some carried placards calling for peace and opposing racism. |
| "We feel like hate has brought a lot of darkness at times," said Manaia Butler, a 16-year-old student who helped to organise the march. "Love is the strongest cure to light the city out of that darkness," she said. | |
| Aden Diriye, who lost his 3-year-old son in the attack, returned to the Al-Noor mosque on Saturday. "I am very happy," he said after praying. " I was back as soon as we rebuilt, to pray." | |
| Australian Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old self-proclaimed white supremacist, has been charged with one murder in connection with the attacks and he is expected to face further charges. | Australian Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old self-proclaimed white supremacist, has been charged with one murder in connection with the attacks and he is expected to face further charges. |
| Bullet holes gone, walls repainted | Bullet holes gone, walls repainted |
| With the crime scene investigation completed, the Al-Noor mosque, where the majority of the victims were killed, was handed back to the city's Muslim community. | |
| At around midday local time (23:00 GMT Friday), small groups of worshippers were allowed back onto the grounds, while armed police patrolled the site. | |
| "We are allowing 15 people at a time, just to get some normality," Saiyad Hassen, a volunteer at the mosque, told AFP news agency. He did not say when the mosque would fully reopen. | "We are allowing 15 people at a time, just to get some normality," Saiyad Hassen, a volunteer at the mosque, told AFP news agency. He did not say when the mosque would fully reopen. |
| The mosque had been repaired, with bullet holes filled in and walls freshly painted - though the lack of rugs on the floor served as a reminder of what had happened. | |
| Worshippers knelt to pray on a grey padded carpet underlay taped to the floor. | |
| "It is the place where we pray, where we meet, we'll be back," Ashif Shaikh, who was in the mosque at the time of the shooting, told Reuters news agency. | "It is the place where we pray, where we meet, we'll be back," Ashif Shaikh, who was in the mosque at the time of the shooting, told Reuters news agency. |
| Police said the nearby Linwood mosque, which was the second to be attacked, had also reopened. | |
| Victims of the Christchurch shootings | Victims of the Christchurch shootings |
| Gun law reform | Gun law reform |
| New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday announced a ban on all types of semi-automatic weapons following the Christchurch attacks. | New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday announced a ban on all types of semi-automatic weapons following the Christchurch attacks. |
| She said she expected new legislation to be in place by 11 April, saying: "Our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too." | She said she expected new legislation to be in place by 11 April, saying: "Our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too." |
| "Six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand," Ms Ardern said in a news conference. | "Six days after this attack, we are announcing a ban on all military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles in New Zealand," Ms Ardern said in a news conference. |
| "Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines." | "Related parts used to convert these guns into MSSAs are also being banned, along with all high-capacity magazines." |
| An amnesty has been imposed so the owners of affected weapons can hand them in, and a buy-back scheme will follow. | An amnesty has been imposed so the owners of affected weapons can hand them in, and a buy-back scheme will follow. |
| The buy-back could cost up to NZ$200m ($138m; £104m), but Ms Ardern said "that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities". | The buy-back could cost up to NZ$200m ($138m; £104m), but Ms Ardern said "that is the price that we must pay to ensure the safety of our communities". |
| Ms Ardern has also announced that a National Memorial Service for victims is being planned for next week. | Ms Ardern has also announced that a National Memorial Service for victims is being planned for next week. |
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