Commemorating the handing down of the Koran to the Prophet Mohammed, Ramadan is a time for prayer, friends and family.
It falls on the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar (May 5 to 15 June 4, 2019) and lasts 29 or 30 days, based on visual sightings of the crescent moon.
What does Ramadan typically involve?
Muslims also abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours to build self-discipline and compassion for those less fortunate.
In doing so Muslims complete one of the five pillars of Islam - the obligations the religion says one must satisfy to live a responsible life.
There are a number of exemptions from fasting. Children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly and those who are ill can all be absolved.
But while Ramadan is observed all around the world, specifics can differ by region.
Adel Salman from the Islamic Council of Victoria said Australia's diverse population makes for a melting pot of cultural influences during Ramadan.
A crescent moon hangs above Gaza during the seventh day of the holy month of Ramadan, 2016. Source: EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
"The Muslim community here in Australia is so diverse," he said.
"There are so many different cultures, languages. There's age diversity as well. Younger people often interact with Ramadan different to older people.
"Recent arrivals [also celebrate] differently to people who've been raised in Australia."
From fresh cookies to new furniture
Ramadan culminates in Eid al-Fitr. It translates from Arabic to "festival of breaking the fast" and typically involves prayers, the wearing of fine clothes, gift-giving and eating - lots and lots of eating.
Eid al-Fitr also differs from culture to culture.
North-African Muslims often bake cookies known as kahk, Malaysian women typically wear a loose-fitting blouse known as baju kurung. Arab families have been known to buy new furniture to usher in celebrations.
But Mr Salman said people don't need to live in a Muslim-majority country to fully experience Ramadan.
"Australia is not a majority-Muslim country so not many others know about [it]. But in fact, in some ways you might actually be better here, in terms of having your absolute focus on the real messages of Ramadan, as opposed to the cultural aspects of Ramadan," he said.
Adel Salman from the Islamic Council of Victoria. Source: SBS News
Growing visibility
Visibility of Ramadan is growing in Australia.
In 2016 Malcolm Turnbull became the first Prime Minister to host a meal breaking the Ramadan fast when he held an Iftar dinner at his Kirribilli home.
This year's Ramadan is the second in Australia for Ali Bahnasawy. He arrived in Sydney from Egypt via Germany.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosts an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan at Kirribilli House, June 2016. Source: AAP
"It's very different," he said.
"It's a little bit hard because in Arab countries, including Egypt, work hours are adjusted to accommodate the main meal of the day, which is at sunset. Here that is not the case."
Mr Bahnasawy said his fellow Egyptian Muslims in Sydney have helped him adjust to his new country.
"There's a few mosques where you can pray late at night. The Egyptian community here, they have a Google document - they share this table, and in the table they write which mosque will have the prayers on that day."
Saving the date
Muslim Community Radio in Sydney's west aims to educate listeners about Australian laws and customs and keep new migrants in touch with the cultures of their homelands.
The station initially transmitted 24 hours a day during Ramadan in 1995, and now broadcasts every day of the year.
Chairman Rafic Hussein said the station plays a key role in announcing the dates of Ramadan to the community each year.
"Muslims all over the world will be looking for the crescent of the moon So the previous month, and on the 29th night of that month, Muslims will be waiting to see whether the next day is going to be Ramadan or not. That's something that we participate in," he said.
Muslim Community Radio covers Muslim issues and events in a number of languages. Source: Facebook
"We always get listeners tuning in waiting, saying 'is it Ramadan tomorrow or not?'"
On campus
Waleed Asim is the President of the Pakistani student society at the University of New South Wales.
As part of his role over the years, he has helped organise free Ramadan-related events on campus, such as prayers and meals, for hundreds of students from different cultural backgrounds.
Mr Asim said he is thankful the university provides spaces for young Muslims to observe Ramadan.
“I’m really proud that we’re able to organise these events. Other universities they do it, but not as big as us," he said.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is providing students spaces to observe Ramadan. Source: AAP
"Ramadan is part of our religion and our culture, so that’s why it’s important we’re getting support from the university. It’s allowing us to celebrate our tradition – and that’s what Ramadan is about."
Across time zones
A median number of daylight hours makes fasting during Ramadan easier for those in Australia, who this year will only fast for about 12 hours a day.
Some Europeans will see more sunlight each day, and thus fast for up to 19 hours.
At times through the year in a few places above the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets. In these cases, authorities have decreed Muslims can either fast along with the closest Muslim country or with Mecca, Saudi Arabia - the birthplace of Islam.
Mr Salman said those observing Ramadan in Australia are free to practise as they wish.
Muslim pilgrims as they circumvent around the Kaaba at the Masjid al-Haram Mosque, Islam's holiest site, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Source: EPA
"It's not a question of right or wrong. Its not a question of this way or that way. It's more just a reflection that Islam has so many different cultural influences," he said.
"So many people celebrate in so many different ways - and certainly in Australia, which is a real melting pot, it's no different."
This story was originally posted in May 2018. It has since been updated .
