2007年VOA标准英语-Muslims, Jews Observe Holidays in Jerusalem Und

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
28 September 2007

Security was tight in Jerusalem Friday as Muslims and Jews observed major religious holidays. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, Palestinians from the occupied territories were barred from attending prayers at a hotly disputed holy place.

The muezzin summoned tens of thousands of Muslims to Friday prayers for the holy month of Ramadan at the Mosque¹ of al-Aksa in Jerusalem's Old City, the third holiest place in Islam. The site is known to Jews at the Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism. The conflicting claims often raise tensions in Jerusalem during religious holidays. This week, Jerusalem is also awash with Jewish pilgrims who have gathered for Sukkot, the biblical Feast of Tabernacles.

Some 4,000 Israeli police and soldiers deployed² in and around the Old City, double the usual number. Thirteen Palestinians have been killed in Israeli raids in the Gaza Strip over the past three days, and police feared riots could erupt after prayers at the mosque. The army sealed off the West Bank and Gaza Strip, barring Palestinians from entering Israel.

Police say the security proved effective and Ramadan prayers passed quietly. But Mahmoud Taaboun, an Arab resident of East Jerusalem, told VOA that the Israeli measures have cast a shadow over the holiday.

"I am very sad because of that," he said. "No joy, the joy have been stolen through these many incursions in the city through the Israeli army."

In Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem, sukkot, or small booths, have popped up everywhere for the Feast of Tabernacles, in yards, gardens and on balconies. The Bible commands Jews to build the huts to remember how the ancient Israelites lived in the wilderness³ for 40 years on their way to the Promised Land.

Moshe Kirshner is proud of his Sukka, with a roof of palm branches and a table full of pomegranates.

"We build special, temporary-type buildings, as a remembrance of when we came out of Egypt, when God redeemed⁴ the Jewish people from slavery," he said.

Some 7,000 Evangelical Christians⁵ are also in Jerusalem this week. Inspired by an Old Testament⁶ prophecy, they have come from around the world to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in solidarity⁷ with Israel.

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 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

3 wilderness   

n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

4 redeemed   

adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• She has redeemed her pawned jewellery. 她赎回了当掉的珠宝。
• He redeemed his watch from the pawnbroker's. 他从当铺赎回手表。

5 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

6 testament   

n.遗嘱；证明

参考例句：

• This is his last will and testament.这是他的遗愿和遗嘱。
• It is a testament to the power of political mythology.这说明，编造政治神话可以产生多大的威力。

7 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。