But that was 2010 and since then things have begun to change markedly.

"Since about March-April I've noticed more hostility and people in general acting very wary," she said.

"People give you odd looks until they are really far past you, whereas before they ignored you like normal.

"It goes the opposite way as well. Some Muslim people are looking warily at others thinking 'are they going to do something?' because everybody has seen on the news Muslim women have been attacked. A lot of us are worried."

Ms Harrod said she wanted to break down the perceived barriers in the community and will host the Australian Non-muslim and Muslim Solidarity Picnic in Canberra next weekend, on Saturday, October 18.

"This event is part of the Australia-wide Non-Muslim and Muslim Solidarity events," she said.

"The purpose of this event is to show mutual solidarity between Non-Muslims and Muslims to foster understanding and build strong links of inclusion.

"The secondary purpose of this event is twofold; first to take a stand and say `Australians will not stand for the hate and violence towards Muslims perpetrated by the minority in recent hate crimes'. Secondly, to take a stand and say that `Muslims will not stand for the violence perpetrated by Daesh and terrorists and to represent the majority of Muslims as they truly are - respectful and positive members of our richly diverse community'.

Ms Harrod said event organisers hoped the picnics would also help build resilience among vulnerable young Muslims to the messages of extremists.

"We want to show them that Muslims are included and Australia does not want to destroy Muslims or Islam," she said.

"It will also offer reassurance to Muslims who have become terrified in their own country that the majority of Australians are respectful and realise that the majority of Muslims are valuable members of Australian communities."

The picnic will be held at noon on Saturday, October 18, at Black Mountain Peninsula, off Garry Owen Drive.