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Worshippers gathered for afternoon prayer at a newly-opened mosque in southwest Sydney.
But just last night, the Australian Islamic House Masjid in Edmonson Park was flanked by a heavy police presence as authorities investigated an alleged online threat, posted on the mosque’s Instagram account.
One of the comments read, "I’m about to Christchurch 2.0 this joint."
The comment refers to the worst deadly mass attack in New Zealand’s history, when an Australian extremist shot down 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch.
The social media comment sparked instant alarm within the community.
VOXIE 1: "I think it's very worrying, in regards to what's happening and the threats that we've received for the mosque. Especially when it's newly opened. It's weird for someone having so much hate toward the Muslim community."
VOXIE 2: "Islamophobia, antisemitism, racism, this is something we should have zero tolerance for in this country. That is something that should not be happening. We are purely a multicultural country and we love each other, we support each other so this is something that is definitely not acceptable."
The 16 year-old West Australian resident who made the alleged threat was arrested late on Tuesday evening, charged with 'Creating False Apprehension to the Existence of Threats or Danger'.
The comments were broadly condemned by the Prime Minister and by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.
"It's never been okay under any law or any provision to make that kind of threat. We won't tolerate it or stand for it. No matter where hate is directed, to any member in our community, you have a right to feel protected and safe in New South Wales."
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun says this threat is just one of many reported Islamophobic incidents in recent years and communities like Edmonson Park fear that the worst is still to come.
"Well the community is concerned and the community is scared. All it takes is one person. Here we are, we have a young adolescent person who is easily influenced by extremism and hate. We need to look at 'Why did that person go out there and feel he can go out there and say this? Who was around him and what groups is he involved in? Because it's potentially the tip of the iceberg."
Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, has released a statement saying, "It should not take a replay of the Christchurch massacre in Australia to awaken people to the present threat of Islamophobia."
The alleged online threat comes during the first week of the holy month of Ramadan.
Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community but some, like the mosque's president Mazhar Hadid, and New South Wales member for Holsworthy, Tina Ayyad, fear that authorities aren't doing enough.
"The fact that the threat was made within the first place, is extremely serious. And the community is expecting the full force of the law to be used. This isn't a joke and it should not be taken lightly by any members of the community. Nor should it be taken lightly by the government."
But New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb says the rapid police response is proof that they are taking the matter very seriously.
"We take every threat seriously and the fact that we had this matter reported to us at midday and a young person was arrested eight hours later, shows that we all take it seriously."
The 16 year-old has been bailed and will appear before the Bunbury Children's Court on 4 April.
