VOA标准英语2012--Community Leaders Anticipate High Arab-American Voter Turnout
时间：2019-01-13 作者：英语课 分类：VOA标准英语2012年(九月)
Community Leaders Anticipate High Arab-American Voter Turnout
Imam Hassan Qazwini had not witnessed a peaceful transition of power of government growing up in Iraq. His first such experience came in the United States. “When I came and saw the peaceful transition of power from one President to another that was very impressive actually, and promising 1 as well,” he said.
That promise has encouraged others to come from war torn and unstable 2 countries to start new lives in the United States.
Imam Qazwini, now the leader of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan, says members of the fastest growing religion in the United States - Islam - are also part of a voting bloc 3 whose influence is steadily 4 growing with each election. “I think in this upcoming election, I believe we will witness the highest Arab-American, Muslim-American participation 5,” he stated.
That expected turnout is, in part, thanks to the efforts of people like Rachid Elabed.
As an Advocacy and Civic 6 Engagement Specialist with the non-profit Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, also known as ACCESS, part of Elabed’s work is registering new U.S. citizens to vote.
He admits there are challenges in explaining U.S. voting procedures to immigrants.
“They don’t understand they have the freedom of speech, freedom to vote, they are new to the process," Elabed explained. "And get intimidated 7 and very scared because they’re not sure what to do and where to get their information.”
Some of that information comes from publications like the Arab-American News, run by Dearborn publisher Osama Siblani. “We come from countries that are governed by dictators and totalitarian regimes," he said. "So when you come here you have to give people time to start acclimating 8 themselves to the idea of democracy - that you go out to vote and register to vote.”
One of the key concepts Rachid Elabed tries to convey to new voters is the importance of their participation in an election, despite the knowledge that Arab-Americans make up a small percentage of the voting public. “The percentage can make a difference in the election,” Elabed said.
A difference that Imam Qazwini says favors President Obama in this year’s Presidential election. “Most Arab-Americans feel that Obama would be their primary choice," he added. "One - they find in him the most reasonable candidate.”
But he is a candidate who is currently President in a country where unemployment is still very high. Michigan’s unemployment numbers are higher than the national average. Jobs are one of the most important issues to all voters, including Arab-Americans, and it is expected to be the defining issue in this year’s presidential race.
- The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
- We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。
- This bookcase is too unstable to hold so many books.这书橱很不结实，装不了这么多书。
- The patient's condition was unstable.那患者的病情不稳定。
- A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
- There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。
- 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。
- Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
- The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。
- I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
- The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。
- We try to make sure children don't feel intimidated on their first day at school. 我们努力确保孩子们在上学的第一天不胆怯。
- The thief intimidated the boy into not telling the police. 这个贼恫吓那男孩使他不敢向警察报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》