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Hajj Trip May Help Christchurch Mosque Victims Heal

Associated Press

   CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - The scars from the nine bullets the gunman
   fired into Temel Atacocugu run down his left side like knotty rope. But
   it's the recurring mental images from that day at the mosque that he
   often finds hardest to cope with: The gunman's face. The puff of smoke
   from his gun. The worshippers falling as they clamored to escape.

   After coming so close to dying nearly five months ago, Atacocugu feels
   he has been "reborn." And this week he plans to express his gratitude
   to God for being given the chance for a new life when he participates
   in the hajj, the holy Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.

   The 44-year-old kebab shop co-owner is among 200 survivors and victims'
   relatives from the Christchurch mosque shootings who are traveling to
   Saudi Arabia as guests of King Salman. The king is paying for their
   airfare, accommodation and travel costs, a bill that will run well over
   $1 million. The group will also travel to holy sites in Medina.
   

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