VOA标准英语2014--Thai Muslims Create Thriving California Mosque

 

Thai Muslims Create Thriving California Mosque¹

AZUSA, CALIFORNIA— 

A mosque in suburban² Los Angeles that began as a center for Muslim immigrants from Thailand now serves Muslims of many backgrounds. The thriving religious center in Azusa, California, is a labor³ of love for one Thai immigrant and his family.

Rahmat Phyakul  is overseeing remodeling of this suburban mosque with help from his wife, Sukatee. They are Muslims from Thailand, and the driving force behind this Islamic house of worship.

Phyakul is the administrator⁴ and imam of what he said is the first mosque established by Thai Muslims in the United States. Thai Muslims are a minority of a minority, because most Thais are Buddhist⁵.

“Our Thai people, our Thai friends and associates thought that it would be a good idea to establish a mosque, the Thai Muslims, so we can maintain our culture and at the same time we can maintain our faith,” he said.

Global appeal

After 19 years, the mosque is international, with the hundreds who gather for prayer coming from all parts of the Muslim world.

“We have people from Pakistan, from India, from the Philippines, Indonesia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Africa, African Americans, and all walks of life, and all kinds of people that come here because this is an international place,” said Rahmat Phyakul.

Rafique Ahmed was among those who came to pray on a recent Friday. He moved to the United States from India by way of Pakistan, and he credits the imam and his wife with building this community.

“They are the backbone⁶. They are so committed, and they have been doing a wonderful job for the community,” he said.

Some Thai members of the mosque shared a meal of Thai foods on a recent evening, and longtime mosque member Mariam Ruangsuwan reflected on the changes that have come as the community has expanded.

“The businessmen helped with the money and everything, so now we are successful. We have a big mosque and [it's] beautiful inside,” she said.

Spiritual home

Imam Phyakul said there have been tensions with some in this mostly Christian⁷ neighborhood, who are suspicious of Muslims.

“However, we sustain and as the Koran taught us, be patient, do good things and good deeds. And that is why we have been lasting⁸ for 19 years,” said Phyakul.

The whole family works together to keep the mosque running smoothly⁹ and it's become their main focus, according to Sukatee Phykul.

“I am so glad that the family works together for the sake of Allah,” she said.

The mosque has become a spiritual home for the Muslim community of this suburban neighborhood, where there was none before.

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 suburban   

adj.城郊的，在郊区的

参考例句：

• Suburban shopping centers were springing up all over America. 效区的商业中心在美国如雨后春笋般地兴起。
• There's a lot of good things about suburban living.郊区生活是有许多优点。

3 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

4 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

5 Buddhist   

adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒

参考例句：

• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
• In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里，人世上一切事情都是空的。

6 backbone   

n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气

参考例句：

• The Chinese people have backbone.中国人民有骨气。
• The backbone is an articulate structure.脊椎骨是一种关节相连的结构。

7 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

8 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

9 smoothly   

adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地

参考例句：

• The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作，所以工作进展顺利。
• Just change one or two words and the sentence will read smoothly.这句话只要动一两个字就顺了。