VOA标准英语2012--Egypt Prepares for Holiest Month

 

Egypt Prepares for Holiest Month

Ramadan, the holiest month of the year for the world's 1 billion Muslims, begins with the new moon expected in most of the world on July 20. It marks the start of a month of fasting, reflective prayer and helping¹ the poor.

In Egypt, observers have their own take on the centuries-old customs, including the traditional daily fast from sunrise to sunset as an expression of self-sacrifice.

Islamic scholar Sheikh Mahmoud Ashour explains that Ramadan is much more than just abstaining² from food and drink.

"In between fasting and praying we read the Quran, and they are the words of God Almighty," Ashour said. "And the Prophet Muhammad said whoever wants God to talk to him, let him read the Quran, so throughout Ramadan we do nothing but talk to God and God talks to us."

Many Muslims break their fast with dates and water.

At a bustling³ market in the Cairo district of Al Sayeda Zeinab, date sellers like Ahmed hope to attract customers by naming the varieties for sale after belly⁴ dancers, movie stars and more recently, political movements and figures.

"Last year we called them [Hosni] Mubarak, Habib al Adli, Alaa Mubarak, Suzanne Mubarak," he said. "This year we named them [President Mohamed] Morsi, the 25th of January, the Revolution, Tahrir [Square], demonstrators, according to the events we are going through."

He said the names do not always help sales.

"No, these are just names. The buyer chooses according to the date's taste," he said.

Although it is a month for spiritual renewal⁵, many people also festively⁶ decorate and spend more money and care preparing food for their loved ones, such as Fawzia.

"I spend it like any Muslim spends it," she said. "We have good days, we pray and fast. We make nice food and invite friends and family and we are also invited."

Egyptian parents also buy colorful lanterns called fanous for their children to play with after breaking the day's fast, singing rhymes and asking for treats.

"We fast and pray and wake up in the night to pray, and we buy lanterns for the children," said Abdel Hakim.

But all the faithful spend the month in reflective prayer, for Muslims believe this was the month God revealed the first chapters of their holy book to the Prophet Muhammad. 

1 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。

2 abstaining   

戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的现在分词 )； 弃权（不投票）

参考例句：

• Abstaining from killing, from taking what is not given, & from illicIt'sex. 诸比丘！远离杀生，远离不与取，于爱欲远离邪行。
• Abstaining from arguments was also linked to an unusual daily cortisol pattern. 压抑争吵也造成每日异常的皮质醇波动。

3 bustling   

adj.喧闹的

参考例句：

• The market was bustling with life. 市场上生机勃勃。
• This district is getting more and more prosperous and bustling. 这一带越来越繁华了。

4 belly   

n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛

参考例句：

• The boss has a large belly.老板大腹便便。
• His eyes are bigger than his belly.他眼馋肚饱。

5 renewal   

adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来

参考例句：

• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。

6 festively   

adv.节日地，适合于节日地

参考例句：