AN anti-mosque protest on the Sunshine Coast has turned ugly this morning as verbal clashes erupted between anti-Islamists and students supporting freedom of religion.

About 500 people turned up in Church Street, Maroochydore, where a property is planned to be turned into a place of worship for Muslims.

Most of the crowd carried placards against Islam and chanted “No Mosque here” but a smaller group waved banners opposing “Bigotry” and offering “Free Hugs”.

Amid a strong police presence, the protest immediately turned ugly and personal when the anti-mosque crowd turned on the uni students, hurling abuse and singling out individuals.

Senior citizens, tradies and mums and dads with banner warning “Islam is plotting our destruction” and “Islam affects the community” screamed at young women carrying posters that read “No to hate, Yes to Freedom of Religion”.

“You’re so stupid,” screamed one woman to a girl whose poster read “No Bigotry.”

There was no organisation to the protest, with attendees milling around in groups and looking for opportunities for a verbal stoush.

Greg McKenzie, 22, turned on Rhea Abraham, a young woman of Middle Eastern Appearance, who was calling for tolerance.

media_camera Protest against a mosque at Maroochydore, Church st. Pic Megan Slade

With the crowd cheering and jeering, Mr McKenzie cried: “don’t come to our country and tell us to accept a religion that disgraces our country and our culture and our women.

“Go back to where you come from. This is our country. This is Australia. You you have a problem go back and live in a Muslim country.”

Shaken and brought to tears, Ms Abraham, 26, told The Sunday Mail she was an atheist, not a Muslim, and her heart was broken by the behaviour exhibited today.

Ms Abraham said she came to the protest to offer free muffins and promote peace.

“It’s very sad that this is happening in a community like Australia. They don’t realise that people come to this country for a better life.

“This is my home I can’t go anywhere else.”

media_camera Protest against a mosque at Maroochydore, Church st. Pic Megan Slade

Pakistani-born Justin Albert became a crowd favourite when he started shouting warnings against Islam, describing what he said were his experiences of oppression and violence in his native country.

Mr Albert drew the cheers of Protestors wearing Australian flags and Aussie shirts as he shouted: “if we hug them (Muslims), they will kill you.

“Chopping their heads, it is their Jihad.

“I know their deeds. No more mosque in Australia. One day you will see they will kill you.

“I warn you Australia, they will kill you.”

Another woman, who asked to be called a Michelle, attended the protest with her partner and two young children, saying she was fighting for her children and grandchildren.

“They hate all Western society, they hate Westerners, they hate whites,” she said.

media_camera Protest against a mosque at Maroochydore, Church st. Pic Megan Slade

“They try and change what’s taught at schools, they try and change the dress code, they try and change what’s available at the tuck shop.

“They come in and they want to change. What other religion does that?”

Uni student Gabby King, 20, said she was surprised by the level of animosity at the protest, with the anti-Islamists ganging up on the students.

“I grew up in an environment where my mum taught me to love,” she said.

“I came here to promote peace.

“People should be able to practise their religion and not have to put up with people like this.”

Police eventually broke up the gathering at 12pm, after an hour.