The Government of Australia/Human Rights Australia has published a booklet for employers managing Muslim employees to offer individual flexibility work arrangement in order to facilitate them to offer prayers at specific times and this is published on their website.

Furthermore, Chaplaincy Services for inmates in prisons are run to assist people practice their faith & adhere to religious duties in compliance with the charter of Universal Human Rights. 

One thing noteworthy is that most of the public places in Melbourne viz the Southern Cross Station, Federation Square, Rod Laver Arena, Tullamarine Airport, Royal Womens’ & Childrens’ Hospital, etc are well equipped with the prayer room. 

A Muslim is a person who follows the Abrahamic concept of monotheism ie the Islamic faith. Infact Prophet Ibraheem/Abraham (as) was the one who chose the name as Muslim to the followers of this faith and Allah – The Almighty chose the name of the religion as Islam.

Indeed, a Muslim/Muslimah believes in the universal brotherhood (Ummah) preached, propagated and practised by all the Prophets.

The etymology of Islam is “Peace” which is one of the ninety-nine names of Allah. A clear meaning of Islam is to surrender to the will of Allah by adhering to the divine commandments of Allah – The Almighty during the entire lifetime.  

One of the important pillars of religion is prayer. All Muslims are commanded by Allah to pray five times in a day (mandatory) but there are exceptions to travellers to shorten prayers during their journey, and the ill/medical reasons to offer in their state of ease.

Exemptions are applicable to menstruating women during their periods, and children before they attain the age of puberty. 

A prayer is a physical activity similar to Yoga or Aerobics that usually begins by a formal call of prayer (summon to assemble to worship), and is offered on specific times of the day; in a particular direction (facing the Kaaba/cube shaped house in the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia called “Qibla” that is compulsory to face throughout the prayers.) 

There are few non-mandatory prayers during the night that can be prayed at home but it is highly recommended to pray in a social gathering in a place of worship like a Mosque/Masjid. Eid/festival prayers are offered twice yearly preferably in a big open ground generally at the outskirts of the town/city. 

As part of the social networking, the Friday noon prayers are highly auspicious and are ordered to be prayed during the mid-day in a congregation with members of the community following a sermon by the Imam (it can be any Muslim).

There are sacred months during which prayers are of high importance, and sanctity and preferred not to be missed that otherwise may constitute a sin. 

Any prayer must be offered after performing ablution (washing face, hands, feet); wearing clean clothing; ensuring the place of prayer is tidy (from dirt, human/animal excreta etc). 

A quiet room/sacred space is recommended to offer prayers that require a little bit loud recital (Fajr/dawn, Maghrib/dusk, and Esha/night/an hour after Maghrib prayers).  

Every person attending prayers is solicited to comply with the following ethical framework/acts:  

  • Say Salaam/Shalom to everyone whom you may see/talk with 
  • Give way and do not create obstacle by parking vehicles on nature strips/neighbours’ driveways 
  • Never block the emergency exits or place your shoes as tripping hazards near the door/walkways. 
  • Spend some money in the form of charity in the designated donation collection boxes. 
  • Earn good rewards by virtue of good deeds by not disturbing the peace & harmony 
  • Be generous & never intimidate or provocative/arrogant towards worshippers of other faith 
  • Be careful & courteous towards others who are offering their prayers as well as the religious scriptures. 
  • Remain mindful of not walking in-front of a person busy in the state of prayer 
  • Talk politely in a low voice inside the prayer room if and only if it is required 
  • Maintain high dignity by avoiding bad breath/bad odour emitting socks/shoes that may soil prayer rugs   
  • Ensure housekeeping is in place & the infrastructure is not harmed 
  • Adhere to the understanding that a place of worship is for praying but not gossiping 
  • Respect the female worshippers & do not stare/leer at them 
  • Discipline children so that they do not wander/loiter without any valid reason 

Caution: Try not to sleep/talk/eat or drink unnecessarily 

Warning: Do not criticise others of their acts or style of worship/school of thought (s)

Reminder: Put the Mobile phone on silent mode & remain modest at all times in order to attain mercy of Allah!