Magnificent Mosques|清真寺巡礼

Magnificent Mosques

by William Ryan

Religions know how to make beautiful architecture.

　　In the religion of Islam, a house of prayer is known as a mosque. _(1)_ Traditional mosques were modeled on the worshiping place of the prophet Muhammad and were merely plots of ground that were considered sacred. _(2)_ They contain semi-circular spaces facing the direction of the holy city of Mecca, from which the clerics, known as imams, lead the prayer. There are also stairs with a seat at the top for the preacher, or khatib, to address worshippers. The central prayer areas have no furniture, so worshippers can sit, kneel, and bow directly on the floor. _(3)_ Mosques are traditionally the center of social, political, and educational life in Islamic societies.

　　Photographs of mosques from around the world reveal much variation in their construction and appearance. A mosque's building materials and designs depend on local culture and resources from that specific Muslim community. However, the distinctive architectural appearances of mosques are always striking and not easily mistaken for churches or temples. There are a few practical features that nearly all mosques have in common. Slim towers atop the mosques are called minarets. _(4)_ Some can be square, round, or octagonal, but most are covered with a pointed roof. In the past, minarets were used to call people to their daily prayers. _(5)_ Even today's mosques may have more than one minaret. They remain as decorative reminders of the old tradition, often standing out in the city skyline.

(A) Modern mosques remain essentially an open space with a dome-shaped roof.

(B) These vary in height and shape.

(C) The word mosque is derived from the Arabic masjid, meaning a place for prostration or bowing.

(D) However, there may be a few chairs available for elderly or disabled worshippers.

(E) In modern times, microphones and speakers are used for the same purpose.

 

清真寺巡礼

宗教知道如何建造美丽的建筑。

　　在伊斯兰教里，作礼拜的地方称为清真寺。Mosque 这个字起源于阿拉伯语 masjid，意为顶礼（编按：此为表示恭敬或崇拜而俯伏在地的礼拜方式）或鞠躬之地。传统的清真寺是模仿先知穆罕默德的礼拜地来建造的，它们也只不过是一块被视作神圣的地方。现代的清真寺基本上仍保有圆顶形屋顶的开放式空间。清真寺里面有个半圆形的空间，面对圣城麦加的方向，这也是神职人员（亦称伊玛目）带领礼拜时所面对的方向。阶梯上方还带有一个座位，以供布道者（或称哈提卜）向礼拜者传道。礼拜区的中心没有任何家具，因此礼拜者可以直接席地而坐，且能直接在地上跪拜。然而，那里可能会有几张椅子供年长者及行动不便的礼拜者来使用。按传统，清真寺在伊斯兰社会中都是社会、政治与教育生活的中心。

　　来自世界各地的清真寺照片显示出它们在建筑与外观上有许多相异之处。一座清真寺的建材与设计都和特定回教社会的当地文化与资源息息相关。然而，清真寺的独特建筑外观总是引人注目，而且不容易被误认为教堂或寺庙。几乎所有的清真寺都有几个相同的特点。在清真寺上方的细长塔楼称为宣礼塔。它们在高度以及形状上各不相同。有些是正方形、圆形或八角形，但大多数都有尖形屋顶遮盖着。在过去，宣礼塔是用于召集大众以进行每日礼拜。在现代，麦克风与扩音器也用于相同目的。即使是现代的清真寺可能都不只拥有一个宣礼塔。它们依旧是一种让人们忆起古老传统的装饰建筑，往往在城市的天际在线吸引着众人的目光。

 

答案： 1. C 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. E