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كان حسن يقف صامتا خلف المنصة الخشبية في دكان والده الصغير في شارع وورن في ديربورن

from this article about American Arabs in the forthcoming elections: http://www.asharqalawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issueno=1...

I thought it might mean "counter", but can't find this meaning in any dictionary. I've seen "platform" "deck" "stand" "podium", but none seem quite right here.

Thank you for any help.