VOA常速英语:穆斯林开斋节：荡涤心灵的旅程

Most of the world’s nearly 1.5 billion Muslims are observing the holy month of Ramadan when those in good health fast between sunrise and sunset.
全世界大约15亿穆斯林如今正在庆祝斋月，在此期间，身体状况良好的穆斯林从日出到日落都不得饮食。

Ibrahim Hooper, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations explains the spiritual benefit of foregoing food and drink.
美国 - 伊斯兰关系委员会的易卜拉欣·胡珀向我们解释了上述食物和饮料给人们精神上带来的益处。

“It teaches compassion for those who are less fortunate, those who can’t eat or drink through no choice of their own.When you come upon a situation where you could help someone in that situation,you are far more likely to help them if you’ve experienced that.”
“它教会我们要同情那些不幸的人，还有那些不能吃喝却又无可奈何的人。当你遇到身处上述情况的人时，如果事先经历过他们的处境，就更有可能会帮助他们。”

Each day, as the sun goes down, the fast is broken with iftar.The ritual meal is an observance many like these Bosnians look forward to as they sit down with friends and family.
每天太阳一下山，人们就会吃开斋饭。作为节日庆祝的一部分，很多人就像这些波斯尼亚人一样，期待着跟家人和朋友坐到一块，享受这些礼顿。

In Sudan, a Khartoum resident prepares assida, a porridge served with stews.
在苏丹，一位喀土穆居民准备了assida，这是一种和炖肉搭配在一起的粥。

“Assida is the main meal of the iftar during the month of Ramadan. It’s eaten just after breaking the fast, because it is good and useful for the stomach, it is made from corn flour.”
“assida是斋月期间开斋饭的主食。也是开斋之后人们最先吃的东西，因为它对胃很有好处。这种粥是由玉米粉制成。”

The focus on iftar can drive up food prices.
斋月期间人们对开斋饭显得尤为关注，食品价格也由此水涨船高。

In Pakistan’s Swat Valley, shopers are getting hit twice.
在巴基斯坦的斯瓦特河谷，消费者们接连遭受了两次打击。

“Compared to last year, prices of edibles have increased by roughly 50 percent this year.With the arrival of Ramadan, prices go up and that considerably affects our business.”
“跟去年相比，今年食品价格上涨了大约得有百分之50。而随着斋月的到来，食品价格再次上涨，严重影响了我们的生意。”

Most of the people who live in the predominantly Kurdish city of Qamislo, in northern Syria,also complain about high prices.
住在叙利亚北部城市卡米什利的主要是库尔德人，而这里大多数人也在抱怨着物价太高。

“Everybody is not rich here, fruits and vegetables are too expensive, tomatoes, cucumbers are expensive. There is no control over prices, there should be control over the market, especially on tea, coffee and sugar.”
“不是所有的人都是有钱人。水果和蔬菜都太贵了。还有西红柿和黄瓜也很贵。没有人去调控价格。市场应该有人来控制，尤其是茶叶、咖啡和糖这一类的消费品。”

Yet despite the hardships, and often the help of charitable neighbors, most are able to enjoy the community and spirituality of these holy days.
然而尽管困难重重，还是会有宽厚的邻居伸出援手，大多数人也都能安然地享受着社区的气氛和斋月带给他们精神上的满足。

Mariama Diallo, VOA news.
美国之音，玛利亚玛·迪亚洛为您播报。