VOA常速英语2015--美国穆斯林为斋月做准备

美国穆斯林为斋月做准备

Mid-day prayers are under way at the Islamic Society of Orange County,a multi-cultural mosque¹ in a multi-ethnic neighborhood of southern California.

奥兰治县的伊斯兰社区正在进行午间祷告,加州南部一个多民族社区一座多元文化的清真寺正在进行这样的仪式。

Preparations are also under way for the thousands expected for the first Saturday of Ramadan,a large celebration at this mosque.

同样如成千上万人期待的那样斋月第一个星期六的准备工作也在进行当中,就在这座清真寺将举办大型庆祝活动。

A huge canopy² is being erected³ in the courtyard.

一座巨大的天篷在院子当中竖立。

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

伊斯兰会在这段时间内白天禁食,人们会专注于伊斯兰的圣经古兰经。

Ramadan teaches self-discipline and helps Muslims count their blessings⁴,says the director of education from a neighboring mosque who delivered today's sermon,Shaykh Mustafa Umar.

邻近清真寺今天进行布道的教育部门主管萨伊克·穆斯塔法·奥马尔表示斋月教导人们自律并且帮助穆斯林人感激现在得到的幸福。

“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."

“当你一整天没吃没喝,即使是一天,你也会意识到你已经放弃的事情,你知道你真的,你认为这是理所当然的。”

Members of the mosque prepare for a busy schedule,including evening celebrations after the fast is broken.

清真寺的成员们紧张忙碌的进行准备,包括斋戒结束后晚上的庆祝活动。

Duaa Alwan is president of the Islamic Society of Orange County.

杜阿·阿尔文是奥兰治县伊斯兰协会的主席。

“Every day here at the mosque,we actually break our fast together at sunset,so that is around 8:00 pm.

“每天在清真寺,实际上我们在日落时分进行斋戒结束活动,大约是晚上8点。

There are free meals,free dinners here.

这里有免费的饭菜,免费的晚餐。

A lot of the larger community are invited to that,a lot of our friends from different faiths,our neighbors."

很多较大的社区都在邀请行列,我们很多朋友都有着不同的信仰,我们的邻居也是这样。”

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

人们分享一顿饭,食物,尽管所在社区各有不同。

“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."

“你会享用来自巴基斯坦的食物,印度美食,中东,意大利,墨西哥菜,它确实反映了我们社区的多样性。”

After eating,there is more prayer.

餐后是更多的祷告。

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

清真寺成员纳瓦兹·艾哈迈德表示这是过上更好生活的决心。

“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."

“对我们来说有点像新年,我们应该做所有的事情,你开始变得坚强,而我们正在做的事情,我们会一直持续下去,作为一个社区，团结一心。”

Old acquaintances are renewed and community bonds are strengthened. Shaykh Mustafa Umar says it is a pattern repeated throughout the Muslim world,with minor⁵ variations.

老熟人们的关系得到巩固而社区的联系得到加强。萨伊克·穆斯塔法·奥马尔表示整个穆斯林世界重复着这样一种模式,只是细微之处上存在不同。

“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."

“所以这是一种混合对上帝的崇拜,同样也能享受到乐趣，共同度过一段美好的时光,意识并珍惜你现在生活中的幸福。”

 

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

这个清真寺的成员表示就像每年斋月的开始一样，空气中弥漫着兴奋之情。

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 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。

3 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。

4 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》

5 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。