The beheading of two innocent journalists and an aid worker in recent weeks has been heart-wrenching to learn about, but has happened on the other side of the world, in someone else’s country. In other words it has felt quite remote, almost like watching a movie. The threat of terrorism has hit closer to home lately, with anti-terror raids in Sydney, Brisbane and now just down the road in Melbourne, as well as the incident last week at a Melbourne police station in which two police officers were seriously injured and a teenage terror suspect killed.

But now it seems the threat has hit our own backyard, with security measures at the Ballarat Railway Station being ramped up. Rubbish bins at the station, as well as others in inner metropolitan Melbourne, have been removed in line with an increased security threat.

The removal of the bins is just one of a number of security measures being taken across the public transport network.

While increased security and heightened awareness of what is going on around you is extremely important, it should not result in misguided retribution, similar to the recent incident in Melbourne where a female rail commuter dressed in Muslim clothing was bashed and thrown from a moving train just because of the way she looked. Now the family of the teenage terror suspect shot dead in Melbourne are receiving death threats. Like all families who have suffered the death of a son or brother, the family of this young man should be left alone to grieve.

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has weighed in on the debate about growing Islamophobia in the community.

“I’m concerned about various groups in the community who may be targeted inappropriately . . .  and I call on all Victorians to actually come together and show their tolerance and understanding that we are famous for,” Dr Napthine said.

Making derogatory comments about the general Muslim community, just because of their religion, should not be tolerated. 

Just like most people in the community, members of the Muslim sector are worried about the increased terror activity and threats around the world and are hoping and praying for calm.