2007年VOA标准英语-American Imam Inspires Followers

By Imran Siddiqui
Washington
11 April 2007

Imam Johari Abdul-Malik is one of the best-known and most respected religious leaders in Washington, DC. He was the first Muslim Chaplain in higher education (Howard University), and holds prominent positions in several national Muslim organizations. Today, the Imam is the director of community outreach for the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia. Recently, Urdu TV's Imran Siddiqui spent a day with Imam Johari and found out why so many call him "the 21st century Muslim Imam." VOA's Jim Bertel narrates¹.

Imam Johari Abdul-Malik

Imam Johari Abdul-Malik grew up in Brooklyn, in the northeastern state of New York and was raised as an Episcopalian. But as he grew older he began a search for spirituality. During graduate school, he found his calling and embraced the Islamic faith eventually becoming the first officially recognized Muslim Chaplain in higher education in the U.S.

He holds degrees in chemistry and genetics, is a scholar, a community leader, a musician, and he is also an avid² golfer. But above all he is a man of faith and believes all people can achieve greatness. "Superman, what does he do most of the time? He does nothing. But, every now and then, he is called upon to do something superhuman, to have a capacity to care, a capacity to love, a capacity to see, a capacity to speak out. And just for those few moments he gets to be superman. Most of us are like that. Maybe you don't see that super moment."

Even though he was raised in a Christian³ church, he believes he was born a Muslim.

 "In the true meaning of the word, we're all born Muslim. And so I am not joining something new, I'm not changing my religion, I am just following the natural progression and dispensation of the prophets," he says.

And that natural progression led him to be a religious leader, an American Imam.

"In our community, what it means is someone who is responsible, who cares for, who has been trained and educated just enough to lead the people who are under him in the community," he explains.

In addition to preaching about life and religion, Imam Johari also teaches a class on Islam at a Virginia college. He says his two roles are very different.

"The preacher is saying, 'this is what we believe in, take my word for it.' The teacher is saying, 'I am going to ignite your mind in a way that causes you to assimilate this information I am giving you. Wrestle⁴ with it in your brain, think about it, challenge it, look in other places. And then I am going to examine you to find out if you can think.," he says.

Whether teaching, preaching, or playing golf, Imam Johari is an inspiration to his many followers⁵.

1 narrates   

v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• It narrates the unconstitutional acts of James II. 它历数了詹姆斯二世的违法行为。 来自辞典例句
• Chapter three narrates the economy activity which Jew return the Occident. 第三章讲述了犹太人重返西欧后的经济活动。 来自互联网

2 avid   

adj.热心的；贪婪的；渴望的；劲头十足的

参考例句：

• He is rich,but he is still avid of more money.他很富有,但他还想贪图更多的钱。
• She was avid for praise from her coach.那女孩渴望得到教练的称赞。

3 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

4 wrestle   

vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付

参考例句：

• He taught his little brother how to wrestle.他教他小弟弟如何摔跤。
• We have to wrestle with difficulties.我们必须同困难作斗争。

5 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。