Richmond Tigers AFL star Bachar Houli has become a standard-bearer for multiculturalism in Australian sport.
A devout Muslim, Houli is currently observing Ramadan.
It is a time that brings with it unique challenges for an elite athlete.
Faith and Australian Rules football -- for Bachar Houli, there is no separating the two.
"You look at a typical football season, you have an in-season and you've got a pre-season. Ramadan, I treat it like the pre-season. It's a way to excel and become better as a person, and a better person that's connected with God. And, hopefully, for the rest of the year, I can be that better person."
It is a time to reflect that comes at a crucial point in the AFL season.
Houli must abstain from food and liquids for around 12 hours each day during Ramadan.
"I'm up at about 4.30am. That roughly gives me an hour and a half to hydrate, to get, I guess, all the fluids and the energy in the body and the system in order to be the person I am for the rest of the day."
He says training during the winter means staying hydrated is not a major concern.
And he says his diet is rather minimal.
"A few pieces of toast with a bit of Vegemite and avocado, a bottle of water or a bottle of Hydralite, a few dates -- which is great in nutrients and good for the system -- and a bit of fruit. So that gets me through the day."
And then there is the secret ingredient.
"Don't forget the coffee, the most important part of the diet." (laughing ...)
Houli says, as Ramadan progresses, his stomach begins to shrink.
He moves to eating two meals before going to bed.
He says the changes do not affect his performance on match day.
"I'm always going into a game about a kilo, one-and-a-half kilos lighter than what I am normally. But I generally feel nice and light. In terms of energy levels, nothing changes."
Houli will also attend iftar, or after-sunset, dinners across the country.
It is all geared towards improving cross-cultural insights.
"To allow people to have an insight into what we do during that month is extraordinary. And it just goes to show that our country is moving forward, in terms of understanding and education."
