VOA标准英语2010年-French Muslims Gather Supplies for Ram

Butcher Haj Mohammed chops pieces of meat at his Halal butcher shop and wraps each carefully for his customers in in Paris's Muslim quarter

Famed American chef, author and television personality Julia Child once called cooking in France a national sport.  But for French Muslims preparing for Ramadan, making sure to adhere to dietary regulations for the month-long celebration is a matter of personal devotion.  The sweet temptations in Paris make fasting especially difficult.

In the bustling¹ streets of Paris's Muslim quarter, butcher Haj Mohammed is hard at work.  With a large cleaver² he chops pieces of meat at his Halal butcher shop, and wraps each carefully for his customers. 

Ramadan is due to start Wednesday in many parts of the Muslim world, with fasting from sunrise to sunset.  The festival starts with the sighting of the new moon in the ninth month of the lunar calendar.

Haj Mohammed says that being in the center of French cuisine³ is difficult, but fasting is fasting regardless of where he is. "Thank God, it is as it is every year.  We fast every year and there is no problem. We are able to fast even though we are abroad," he said.

Sweet temptations

One of the clients outside Mohammed's shop is Boulam Felag, who said he was able to resist the temptations of Parisian bakeries when he thought of how fasting helps his body and mind.  "It's good for your health; it's good for your hygiene⁴.  It is part of religion. It is good for everyone, for all Muslims," said Felag.

Reuters TV
Ismii Ishaq

Meanwhile, at a local pastry⁵ shop Ismii Ishaq carefully places sweets in a decorative⁶ box.  His counters are filled with sweet delicacies⁷ but high amounts of sugar intake⁸ are discouraged during Ramadan.  Nevertheless, he says he welcomes Ramadan, particularly because of the good deeds called for during the month.

"I am very happy the month of Ramadan is approaching.  It is a month of goodness and blessings⁹ and good trade, and of charity and alms - giving and helping¹⁰ the poor.  It is a month of sacrifice," he said.

The French newspaper Liberation estimates that 70 percent of French Muslims will celebrate Ramadan.  The fast continues until early September.
 

1 bustling   

adj.喧闹的

参考例句：

• The market was bustling with life. 市场上生机勃勃。
• This district is getting more and more prosperous and bustling. 这一带越来越繁华了。

2 cleaver   

n.切肉刀

参考例句：

• In fact,a cleaver is a class of ax.实际上，切肉刀也是斧子的一种。
• The cleaver is ground to a very sharp edge.刀磨得飞快。

3 cuisine   

n.烹调，烹饪法

参考例句：

• This book is the definitive guide to world cuisine.这本书是世界美食的权威指南。
• This restaurant is renowned for its cuisine.这家餐馆以其精美的饭菜而闻名。

4 hygiene   

n.健康法，卫生学 （a.hygienic）

参考例句：

• Their course of study includes elementary hygiene and medical theory.他们的课程包括基础卫生学和医疗知识。
• He's going to give us a lecture on public hygiene.他要给我们作关于公共卫生方面的报告。

5 pastry   

n.油酥面团，酥皮糕点

参考例句：

• The cook pricked a few holes in the pastry.厨师在馅饼上戳了几个洞。
• The pastry crust was always underdone.馅饼的壳皮常常烤得不透。

6 decorative   

adj.装饰的，可作装饰的

参考例句：

• This ware is suitable for decorative purpose but unsuitable for utility.这种器皿中看不中用。
• The style is ornate and highly decorative.这种风格很华丽，而且装饰效果很好。

7 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

8 intake   

n.吸入，纳入；进气口，入口

参考例句：

• Reduce your salt intake.减少盐的摄入量。
• There was a horrified intake of breath from every child.所有的孩子都害怕地倒抽了一口凉气。

9 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》

10 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。