VOA常速英语2007年-Couple From US Prepares for Hajj

By Laila Azimi
Washington
17 December 2007
 

Muslims from around the world are on their way to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the spiritual pilgrimage known as the Hajj beginning December 18. This annual event takes place during the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a journey every Muslim who is able is obligated to make. VOA's Laila Azimi recently visited a couple from the United States preparing to make their first pilgrimage to Mecca. Jim Bertel narrates¹.

More than two million people are expected to converge² on the Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia during this year's Hajj, including more than 12,000 Americans, a number that is growing steadily³ each year. It is the obligation of every Muslim who is able to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.

This will be the first Hajj for Fouzia Aziz. "I wanted to go on the pilgrimage a long time ago, but my children were small and they were in school," she said. "My husband and I had responsibilities. Now that all of them are graduated and some of them are married, we have a chance to perform the fifth pillar of our religion."

Former Afghan Army Lieutenant⁴ Aziz Aziz says he is happy to live in a country like the U.S. that permits freedom of religion. "We Muslims like all others could have our own mosque⁵ and we can pray any time anywhere, there are no restrictions," he noted⁶.

"We can go day or night to the mosque; we perform all our religious activities in the United States. Also we didn't have any problem when we decided⁷ to go for Hajj," he added.

Because the journey can be difficult and costly⁸, Fouzia Aziz says they turned to a travel agency that offers Hajj package deals that include air travel and lodging⁹. It also arranges for religious instruction on site in how to perform the rites¹⁰ of Hajj.

Walid Abusharkh is leading a group of 50 pilgrims from Virginia to Mecca. "We are an international Muslim Hajji group," said Abusharkh. "We have people from Afghanistan, America, we have Tunis, from Yemen, from Egypt, from Sudan, from Morocco, and from Palestine."

The grueling six days of religious ceremonies include rituals, prayers, and communion with fellow Muslims.

1 narrates   

v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• It narrates the unconstitutional acts of James II. 它历数了詹姆斯二世的违法行为。 来自辞典例句
• Chapter three narrates the economy activity which Jew return the Occident. 第三章讲述了犹太人重返西欧后的经济活动。 来自互联网

2 converge   

vi.会合；聚集，集中；(思想、观点等)趋近

参考例句：

• The results converge towards this truth.其结果趋近于这个真理。
• Parallel lines converge at infinity.平行线永不相交。

3 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

4 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

5 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。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

9 lodging   

n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍

参考例句：

• The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
• Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?

10 rites   

仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• to administer the last rites to sb 给某人举行临终圣事
• He is interested in mystic rites and ceremonies. 他对神秘的仪式感兴趣。