Strictly speaking, Muslims are required to pray five times every day at set times between sunrise and sunset, but when travelling in Australia on business they may feel that the requirements of their journey mean that this rule should be relaxed. Australians hosting Arab visitors might like to make polite enquiry as to the preferences of their guests on this score. The Islamic fasting month of Ramadan brings business almost to a halt throughout the Muslim world. Ramadan is a lunar month and so falls at a different time each calendar year. During the fast all Muslims except children, the sick, pregnant women and travellers are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke between sunrise and sunset.
Tempers can be understandably short and working hours are much reduced.
Foreign visitors should avoid eating, drinking, smoking or even sucking sweets in front of people who are fasting. The end of each day is marked with feasting, and the end of the month with a major feast. Because Arab visitors to Australia during Ramadan are travellers they may feel themselves excused from the requirement to fast. Australians hosting Arab visitors might make discreet inquiries of the individual concerned. Prohibitions Alcohol is strictly forbidden by the Koran.