So the local Muslim community is holding an open day tomorrow, from 11am to 3pm, to allow the public to come inside, connect with them and find out more about their religion.
The Oamaru Islamic Centre in Trent St opened in 2017 as a space for prayer, education, and celebrating Islamic events in the town.
Treasurer Hendriani Trisaptayuni said it had always had an open-door policy, but at the open day on Sunday, people could observe a live prayer, learn to write their name in Arabic, try a hijab and, if it arrived in time, henna tattoo art.
"They can ask questions, and there will be imams available - we'll have someone from the Ashburton mosque and we might have someone from overseas, as well," Mrs Trisaptayuni said.
"We welcome everyone to come."
Since the attacks on March 15 which killed 50 people and injured another 40, the centre had been inundated with flowers and messages of support and everyday people in Oamaru were wanting to visit the centre for the first time, and wanting to learn more about the Islamic faith.
"We've had quite a lot of people coming to the centre," she said.
"Maybe before ... they didn't really know who we are, they don't really know what it's all about.
"Since that day, they've realised we are actually the same human beings and it's quite normal for people to have other beliefs."
Mrs Trisaptayuni said she was grateful for the way the Oamaru community had responded and supported her - and she felt a lot safer in New Zealand now.
"Actually, we've never felt safer - we feel a lot safer than before," she said.
"We're in regular contact with the police, they call us, check on us, see how we are."
Mrs Trisaptayuni, one of the founders of Oamaru's Islamic Centre, works as a caregiver at the Observatory Retirement Village.
Originally from Indonesia, she moved to Oamaru with her husband in 2012 after he was offered a job as a halal slaughterman at Lean Meats.
Then, there were about five Muslim families in Oamaru. Now, she estimated there were about 60.
As the community grew, so too did the need for a bigger space to practise their religion.
Until the Trent St centre opened, they had used homes and garages in Oamaru.
The open day is being held on a Sunday so the centre can be supported by representatives from other South Island mosques.
