Members of the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre invited the media into their mosque on Tuesday evening, and again on Wednesday morning, to witness the aftermath of a terrorist attack.

Police wrapped up their investigation of the crime scene Tuesday evening, 48 hours after they say one man walked into the mosque and opened fire.

Worshippers then invited cameras inside, saying it was important for everyone to see what had happened.

"It's the mosque's responsibility to show what happened there," said Ahmed Elrefai.

The first thing reporters noticed was the plain interior of the mosque: wall-to-wall green carpet with wide beige stripes, beige wainscoting with red trim on the walls, and a handful of folding chairs scattered around the room.

Near the door a pile of boots, sandals, and winter coats lay on the floor near a pillar, and beside them was a stain where blood had soaked into the carpet.

There were more bloodstains on the carpet, including next to a small rug with a microphone that was used by the Imam that leads services.

Bullet holes pockmarked several walls, including a wall in a short hallway that leads to storage lockers.

More blood was smeared on the wall and floor next to a narrow bookshelf and a narrow coat rack.

"We are all in shock and all the community is in shock and it will be hard for people to see the mosque after the shooting," said Elrefai.

"We want to send a message to our community to listen to us and know about us. This scene is from ignorance."

One of the men who invited the media inside identified himself as Adel.

He was inside the mosque when the gunman walked inside and began shooting.

"We heard heard shots, gunshots. We didn't know what was happening outside. We heard things. Explosions. Was it shots? We didn't know. So, then we scattered behind the pillars," said Adel.

"And then he entered the room. And then he continued to shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot. And he backed up twice. He reloaded.

"Our friend was lying on the ground. Our friend Azzedine. He made his way towards him. And he wanted to stop him. In that moment, he jumped. The man took a step backwards and he shot him in the face.

"And it didn't end. He continued to shoot him as he was lying on the ground.

"Somebody else ran to try and stop him. He was also a hero, it must be said. It's our brother Mohamed, who was injured in the leg. For me, it lasted an eternity. Each time I thought it was my turn, my turn, my turn."

Six men were killed in the mosque, and five more suffered critical injuries, while another 12 suffered minor wounds.

One of the critically injured men, shot five times, may be paralyzed.

Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, is facing six charges of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder.

Worshippers said they expected it would take a week to repair the mosque, and for services to resume.