VOA标准英语2013--US Muslims Mark Start of Ramadan

US Muslims Mark Start of Ramadan

At the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center just outside Washington, Muslim Americans from diverse backgrounds gathered to mark the start of the month-long observance, a time during which they will pray, fast from dawn to dusk, and reflect upon the true meaning of Islam.

Imam Johari, director of outreach at the mosque¹, says this is a time for Muslims to raise their consciousness about God.

"The basis of Ramadan,” he said, “is to get people closer to that connection by depriving themselves of food, from drink and from the feeding of their passions from dawn until sunset."

For Carla Claure, 22, it's a time for deeper reflection.

"I practice obviously during the whole year but during Ramadan I become more reflective. I try to pray more; it centers me more," she said.

Junaid Khan, 21, believes this period can be life changing.

"They say it only takes one month to turn somebody's life around, so the month of Ramadan - the holy month of Ramadan - can influence somebody's character, and the way they live life, to [be] a better person."

Adam Dirbigi, 10, has fasted during Ramadan since he was six years old.

"People fast to feel how people who don't have food feel," he said.

After the sun sets, Muslims the world over will break that fast with a dinner, called "Iftar," which is often a shared communal² experience with both Muslims as well as people of other faiths.

This year, Ramadan will end on August 7 with a meal and related festivities in a celebration called Eid.

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 communal   

adj.公有的，公共的，公社的，公社制的

参考例句：

• There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.在楼梯平台上有一处公共卫生间供4套公寓使用。
• The toilets and other communal facilities were in a shocking state.厕所及其他公共设施的状况极其糟糕。