2007年VOA标准英语-Shopping for Ramadan a Cultural Treat

By Ade Astuti and Susy Tekunan
Washington
21 September 2007
 

Muslims around the world are in the midst of marking the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It is a time when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk while focusing on prayers, charity and personal accountability. In the days before Ramadan, thousands of Muslims were in a suburb of Chicago, in the Midwestern state of Illinois for the Islamic Society of North America's, (I.S.N.A.) annual convention. One of the main attractions was the Bazaar¹ where hundreds of merchants cater² to the modern Muslims' every need. For producers Ade Astuti and Susy Tekunan, VOA's Jim Bertel takes us inside the Bazaar's festive³ atmosphere.

"People during Ramadan want to always wear new clothes and at the end of Ramadan we have a holiday Eid, so usually people buy new clothes, fancy clothes to wear during Ramadan and at the end of the month" says Meliha Suleman, who is both buying and selling merchandise..

For many other Muslims in the United States, the place to buy those clothes is the annual I.S.N.A. Bazaar. The Islamic marketplace is an important part of the organization's annual convention.

"The annual convention, which is relatively⁴ large, Muslims from all over the nation, they gather here. We do want to come up and attend the convention and also to have our fashion exhibition," she adds.

With more than 35,000 Muslims on hand for the convention, the bazaar attracts several hundred exhibitors selling a variety of products.

Abdul Kareem Pavlicek sells perfumes which, in accordance with Islamic teachings, do not contain any alcohol. "That's right, no alcohol, it's oil based, which basically last much longer than typical spray colognes you find them at department stores," he explains.

Many shoppers visit the bazaar to shop for Islamic books. One bazaar merchant says, "Because of the largest collection of Islamic books, usually if you go to the bookstore that aren't too many they offer, also it is much easier than buying on line."

Another shopper says it’s a great place to build a personal library. "Well, reading Islamic books is not just limited on the month of Ramadan, because Islam says gaining knowledge is an obligation from cradle to the grave, but Ramadan is a very special month, is a month of fasting, a month of contemplation about our existence in this world, so we have to be much more, [we must] spiritually elevate ourselves."

From literature to music to incredible delicacies⁵, the I.S.N.A. Bazaar has become an important event for many American Muslims as they prepare for Ramadan.

1 bazaar   

n.集市，商店集中区

参考例句：

• Chickens,goats and rabbits were offered for barter at the bazaar.在集市上，鸡、山羊和兔子被摆出来作物物交换之用。
• We bargained for a beautiful rug in the bazaar.我们在集市通过讨价还价买到了一条很漂亮的地毯。

2 cater   

vi.(for/to)满足，迎合；(for)提供饮食及服务

参考例句：

• I expect he will be able to cater for your particular needs.我预计他能满足你的特殊需要。
• Most schools cater for children of different abilities.大多数学校能够满足具有不同天资的儿童的需要。

3 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

4 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

5 delicacies   

n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到

参考例句：

• Its flesh has exceptional delicacies. 它的肉异常鲜美。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• After these delicacies, the trappers were ready for their feast. 在享用了这些美食之后，狩猎者开始其大餐。 来自英汉非文学 - 民俗