Lysterfield Mosque worshippers fearful after Christchurch terror attack

Police are ramping up patrols at a Knox mosque after the Christchurch massacre, with worshippers fearful of copycats.

Hundreds of people worship at Lysterfield Mosque.

The Muslim community in Melbourne’s east has been hard hit with apprehension and grief in the wake of the horrific Christchurch terror attacks.

In an attempt to alleviate fear, police have increased their presence at the Lysterfield Mosque — the home of the Islamic Society of Melbourne Eastern Region (ISOMER) — since the tragedy where a gunman killed 50 people and wounded scores more.

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An ISOMER trustee, who did not want to be named, said the community had “absolutely” felt the impact of the shootings in New Zealand.

He said the hundreds of Muslims who worshipped at Lysterfield had been hit with heightened feelings of apprehension and sadness.

“We’re obviously afraid of copycats,” he said.

Hundreds of Muslims worship at Lysterfield Mosque.

The spokesman said the Muslim community’s fears of attack — which were always present — had increased, particularly because the society had experienced a long history of anti-Islam attacks and threats.

He said incidents included people coming to the mosque and starting fights, graffitiing

and threatened “to burn the place down”.

“We’ve always been abused by people going past,” he said.

When the mosque first opened decades ago, a pig carcass was cut up and thrown into the place of worship.

He said the most recent incident was about six months ago when two people drove up to the mosque and pestered a worshipper to get in their ute.

When the person refused, the driver deliberately rammed the ute into a light post to damage it.

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The trustee said ISOMER members had been able to “feel a bit more relaxed” since the Christchurch attack thanks to the much stronger police appearance at the mosque.

Rowville Senior Sergeant Wayne Fielding said police were trying to have officers visit the mosque on each shift to wave to worshippers or to go in and speak to them.

“It’s just to let them know they have nothing to fear,” he said.

Sen-Sgt Fielding said police were trying to strike a balance between providing reassurance to the Muslim community and heightening anxiety through their presence.

He said the venue had always been on the list of places police regularly patrolled.

But the ISOMER trustee said regardless of the police presence, there would “always be that fear in the back of (Muslims’) minds”.

Rowville police have increased their patrols of the mosque. Picture: James Ross

He said he hoped the tragedy in Christchurch would bring about the start of the wider community recognising the deeper problems being faced by Muslims.

The leader said Muslims were made to feel a sense of blame in the wake of a terror attack.

“It’s almost as if we’ve got to constantly tell people, ‘look it’s not us’,” he said.

“It seems to have an effect on the whole Muslim community.”

He said the society wanted people to stand together regardless of race, colour or religion, and to treat each other with love, kindness and compassion.

He said Muslims had not just been grieving the Christchurch attack because it targeted their religion.

“We grieve when there’s violence against others — whether it’s Muslims or it’s Christians,” he said.

“It’s a humanitarian thing.”

“It’s a human problem, not a Muslim problem.”