RICHMOND'S Bachar Houli will today visit the Christchurch mosques where 50 people were murdered in a terrorist attack last week.

The morning after his Tigers had recorded a season-opening win against Carlton at the MCG, Houli flew to Christchurch to offer support to the Muslim communities grieving from the massacre.

Tigers general manager communications and marketing Simon Matthews said Houli did not think twice when he was asked to attend.

"It is something he wanted to do, and that is the sort of person Bachar is," Matthews said.

"He cares deeply for his community, fully committed to it."

It is believed New Zealand rugby union star Sonny Bill Williams was behind the approach to Houli to visit Christchurch.

Houli, who has played 186 matches with Richmond and Essendon, is an AFL multicultural ambassador.

Early this week, he said the Christchurch massacre had such a devastating effect on him that he had to leave the Tigers' training track.

"The one thing that stands out to me and this should be a message to everyone is that the first person who got gunned down was a person who welcomed the gunman," Houli told news.com.au early this week.

"He said, 'Welcome brother, please come in'. They were his last words before he passed away.

"That should basically define the people who we are. We're welcoming people and peaceful people full of harmony.

"There are times on the field where I've received a few comments from the crowd but I just put a smile on my face. We are so proud of who we are and this will not break us."

Houli will return to Melbourne on Saturday.