VOA标准英语2010年-Muslim Americans Observe Holy Month of

Muslim devotees take part in a special morning prayer to start their Eid al-Fitr festival, which marks the end of Muslim's holy fasting month of Ramadan, outside the Baitul Ma'Mur Mosque¹ in Brooklyn, New York, 20 Sep 2009

The Ramadan Effect: Muslim Stock Markets Rally in Month of Fasting
Ramadan in America, like elsewhere in the world,  is a month of fasting, prayer, charitable giving and reflection.  Muslim Americans of diverse backgrounds and national origins gather in Islamic centers across the U.S. to worship and celebrate their faith.  For many, Ramadan also is an opportunity to educate non-Muslim friends about their culture and traditions.

"Fasting is an important matter especially in this month," said an Imam speaking to Muslims in the Washington area.  As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins, American Muslims gather in Islamic centers to worship, break the dawn-to-dusk fast together, recite their holy book - the Koran - and help the poor.

Imam Abdulla Khouj is President of the Islamic Center in Washington, the oldest one in the U.S. capital.  He said, "We try to make people feel like they are in any Muslim country and Muslim community.  We offer the meal to break their fast.  We have more than 500 people, males and females, their children, families and, also as far as prayers, we have a lot of people.  They come and pray with us."

 

Imam Bassim Sayed leads a congregation in San Diego, but was visiting Washington, D.C. He has a similar plan.

"We will be reciting the Koran every evening," said Imam Sayed.  "We will be feeding the poor at Iftar [fast breaking] and getting together to celebrate this great month in which the Koran was revealed for the benefit of mankind."

For Muslim Americans, Ramadan means improving self-discipline and helping² others. Abbas Mohamed is a diplomat³ from Chad. 

"Ramadan is the greatest month of the year, a month of forgiveness, prayers and sharing everything with your neighbors," said Mohamed.

But as a minority living in a non-Muslim society, some Muslim Americans find Ramadan challenging.  "Mostly it is at work or school. For students it is harder because not everyone around you is fasting or understands what Ramadan is," said Mohamed.

However young Muslim Americans, like Belal Sayed, are finding ways to meet the challenges.  "I face many challenges, but I focus on the Koran and the challenges become easier for me to fast every day," said Sayed.

Imam Khouj believes the Ramadan greetings offered by American presidents have helped raise awareness⁴ about Ramadan among Americans.

"The president of a great country acknowledges the fact that people are fasting and somehow shares with them their feelings, and at the same time makes them feel that they are welcomed in this country," said Imam Khouj.  In addition, he says Ramadan is an opportunity to educate non-Muslims during interfaith Iftars.  He says the diversity among U.S. Muslims gives Ramadan in America a special flavor.
 

1 mosque   

n.清真寺

参考例句：

• The mosque is a activity site and culture center of Muslim religion.清真寺为穆斯林宗教活动场所和文化中心。
• Some years ago the clock in the tower of the mosque got out of order.几年前，清真寺钟楼里的大钟失灵了。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

4 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。