Rotorua's Books of Condolence personally delivered to Christchurch

Lily Joy Al Omari delivers Rotorua's Books of Condolence to Imam Ibrahim Abdul Halim of the El Noor Mosque in Deans Ave, Christchurch. Photo / Supplied

Rotorua people's heartfelt messages of condolence about the mosque shootings have been delivered to the community of Christchurch.

Rotorua Multicultural Council president Margriet Theron said Rotorua Lakes Council had four condolence books Rotorua people had signed.

The books were available for signing at the council, the library and at the vigil held at the Village Green.

She said individuals, schools and various groups wrote messages.

Lily Joy Al Omari, a member of the executive committee of the Rotorua Multicultural Council, was representing the local council at a Multicultural Federation meeting in Christchurch, and so was asked to present the books while there.

"We were very proud to be asked as a multicultural council to carry out this special task."

Margriet says it was appropriate for Lily Joy to present them as she is Muslim and she and her husband were involved in organising the vigil in Rotorua after the shootings.

She says we all know the Christchurch shootings were terribly sad, but the Rotorua Multicultural Council now knows so much more about the Muslim community in Rotorua.

"We've got a much better relationship with them now than we ever have before."

Lily Joy says she put ribbons around the books and it was an honour to present them on behalf of the Rotorua community.

She says it was a different feeling delivering the books and good wishes personally, and after presenting the books they visited the mosque.

The books of condolence were very much appreciated and Imam Ibrahim Abdul Halim was happy to receive them, she says.