VOA标准英语2010年-Arab World Gears Up for Holy Month of

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An Egyptian vendor¹ prepares the display of traditional lanterns for sale at his shop in Cairo, Egypt, in preparation for the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, 3 Aug 2010

According to Islam's lunar-based calendar, the holy month of Ramadan is set to start on Wednesday in large parts of the Middle East, predicts a Saudi cleric.  Clerics also have issued a fatwa  - or religious edict - prohibiting price increases, a common practice during Ramadan.

Merchants across Cairo are stocking their shelves with dates, nuts, figs², and apricot paste for the start of the holy month of Ramadan.  Many also are stringing lights and lanterns to decorate for the event amid intense summer heat.

Ramadan starts with the first sighting of the crescent moon.  Cloud cover and geography mean that some countries begin a day or two earlier than others.  One Saudi cleric predicts that Ramadan will start next Wednesday in his country, as well as Egypt.  He says that the crescent moon will probably be sighted on Tuesday night in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and if there are witnesses and their sightings are corroborated³ by the religious court, then Ramadan will begin on Wednesday.

During Ramadan, people fast from sunrise to sunset across the Islamic world, abstaining⁴ from food and drink.  Since Ramadan this year starts during the summer, the heat will force many to curtail⁵ their activities.  Egypt will even set clocks back an hour to help people to cope.

After sunset and the sound of the Ramadan cannon⁶, people eat their first meal, or iftar, which is often a copious⁷, multiple course banquet.

Dates are traditionally an important part of the Ramadan celebration and markets here in Cairo sell dozens of varieties.  The finest dates are named after well-loved celebrities⁸, and the more mediocre⁹ after familiar villains¹⁰.  A food critic from the Gulf¹¹ explains that dates are important, a well-known product of the Arabian desert and well-loved by Arabs.  He stresses that they are mentioned in the Koran and sayings of the Prophet Mohammed. He also notes that they go through five stages, all of which have many nutritional¹² values.

Egyptians complain that prices of many foodstuffs¹³ are rising dramatically as Ramadan nears, making it hard for families to prepare meals.  The daily Al-Masry Al-Youm reports that a fatwa has been issued to forbid merchants from raising prices during Ramadan.

The dean of Cairo's venerable Al Azhar University, it adds, is calling the practice "unlawful" and contrary to Islamic sharia law.  Egypt's Ministry¹⁴ of Religious Affairs also is planning a small revolution, set to start with the onset¹⁵ of Ramadan, by creating one, official broadcast call to prayer.

The cacophony¹⁶ of poorly coordinated¹⁷ prayer calls across Cairo has long irritated many residents.  Though the project has met opposition¹⁸ from some clerics, the government has finally decided¹⁹ to implement²⁰ the unified²¹ prayer call, which it has long considered.

Arab satellite television channels also are starting to advertise for this year's crop of Ramadan soap operas and mini-series, which are a popular staple²² during evening gatherings²³ of family and friends.  Many stay up during the night to talk and watch TV, sleeping instead during the day.