http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/Publications/cr_diversity/islam.pdf
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Culture and Religion   Information Sheet   October 2009
Greeting
The following sensitivities need to be observed on greeting or introduction:
Devout Muslims do not shake hands with the member of the opposite sex.
Muslims do not expect any non Muslim to greet them with the Islamic  greeting “assalamu `alaikum”
meaning  “Peace be upon you”, with the response “wa `alaikumus salam”meaning ” and upon
you be peace.” So it is not necessary for a non Muslim to learn the  Islamic way of greeting, since
it is acceptable to greet Muslims with normal English greetings such as  `good morning´ or `good
evening´.
Seating
–
The following sensitivities need to be observed in seating arrangements  for interview purposes or hosting official functions:
Muslim clerics prefer not to be seated next to women.   Muslim men and women prefer to sit in two separate groups to avoid  mixing with one another, men  on one side and women on the other.
Dress and Appearance:Â The following dress codes apply:
–
The Islamic dress code for males and females is prescribed to be modest.   Muslims can wear any national or chosen dress code if it loosely covers  certain parts of the body,  consisting of the area from the navel to knee for the male, and the whole  body with the exception  of the face and hands for the female. These areas of the body are referred  to as Awrah.
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The wearing of the Niqab or Purdah (face cover) by Muslim women is not  considered essential by
most Muslims.
Food, Drink and Fasting
–
Recognising appropriate foods and beverages is essential in responding to  the needs of religious
communities. When hosting people from diverse religious and cultural  backgrounds, as a matter of
good practice, always serve a selection of vegetarian and meat foods on  separate trays. A variety of non
alcoholic drinks should also be available at any offi cial function. The  following issues relating to food,
drink and fasting should also be understood:
If possible, organise all food to be Halal. This is easy to arrange and  ensures everyone can eat.
Islamic tradition does not allow the consumption of alcohol.   During Ramadan, the name of the ninth and holiest month of the Muslim  calendar, Muslims do not
eat or drink from dawn break to sunset.
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Mark Lloyd is the Federal Communications Commission’s Chief Diversity Officer, a.k.a. the Diversity Czar. And he has in a recently discovered bit of archive audio goodness detailed his rather disturbing perspective on race, power and the American system.
