VOA标准英语2015--美国穆斯林准备进入斋月

American Muslims Prepare for Ramadan 美国穆斯林准备进入斋月

LOS ANGELES—

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins Thursday, June 18th in Los Angeles, and Muslims around the world are preparing the time of fasting, reflection and communal¹ gatherings².  The exact start of the lunar month varies by location, according to the sighting of the crescent moon.  

Mid-day prayers are under way at the Islamic Society of Orange County, a multi-cultural mosque³ in a multi-ethnic neighborhood of southern California.  

Preparations are also under way for the thousands expected for the first Saturday of Ramadan, a large celebration at this mosque.  A huge canopy⁴ is being erected⁵ in the courtyard.

The Islamic lunar month is a time of fasting during daylight hours, with a focus on the Islamic holy scripture⁶, the Quran.

Ramadan teaches self-discipline and helps Muslims count their blessings⁷, says the director of education from a neighboring mosque who delivered today's sermon, Shaykh Mustafa Umar.

“When you go without food and drink for entire day, even for one day, you realize what you have given up, and you realize what you actually have that you had taken for granted," said Umar.

Members of the mosque prepare for a busy schedule, including evening celebrations after the fast is broken.  Duaa Alwan is president of the Islamic Society of Orange County.

“Every day here at the mosque, we actually break our fast together at sunset, so that is around 8:00 pm.  There are free meals, free dinners here.  A lot of the larger community are invited to that, a lot of our friends from different faiths, our neighbors." said Alwan.

People share a meal, and the food, like the community, is diverse.

“You have Pakistani food, you have Indian food, you have Middle Eastern, you have Italian food, you have Mexican food, and it really reflects the diversity that our community shares," said Alwan.

After eating, there is more prayer.

Mosque member Nawaz Ahmed says this is a time for resolutions to live a better life.

“Kind of like a New Year's for us, where all the things that we are supposed to do, you start going strong and doing them, and the things that we are doing, we continue them and do it as a community and a group," said Ahmed.

Old acquaintances are renewed and community bonds are strengthened.  Shaykh Mustafa Umar says it is a pattern repeated throughout the Muslim world, with minor⁸ variations.

“So it is kind of a mixture of worshiping God and also having fun and having a good time, and realizing and appreciating the blessings that you have in this life," said Umar.

Members of this mosque say there is excitement in the air, as there is every year at the start of Ramadan.  

1 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。

2 gatherings   

聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集

参考例句：

• His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
• During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。

3 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。

4 canopy   

n.天篷，遮篷

参考例句：

• The trees formed a leafy canopy above their heads.树木在他们头顶上空形成了一个枝叶茂盛的遮篷。
• They lay down under a canopy of stars.他们躺在繁星点点的天幕下。

5 ERECTED   

adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立

参考例句：

• A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。
• A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。

6 scripture   

n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段

参考例句：

• The scripture states that God did not want us to be alone.圣经指出上帝并不是想让我们独身一人生活。
• They invoked Hindu scripture to justify their position.他们援引印度教的经文为他们的立场辩护。

7 blessings   

n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

参考例句：

• Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。