As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Dubai Police have revealed the locations of seven traditional cannon across the emirate, along with an additional mobile cannon that will visit various areas. These cannons play a significant role in signaling the beginning and end of fasting each day.
The stationary cannons will fire at sunset, marking the start of iftar, in the following locations:
- Expo City Dubai
- Damac Hills
- Vida Creek Harbour
- Burj Khalifa
- Mirdif Downtown
- Festival City
- Hatta Guest House
The primary cannon will be stationed at Expo City Dubai, serving as a focal point for residents to observe the traditional cannon firing ritual.
In addition to these stationary cannons, a mobile cannon will travel to 13 different areas, spending two days at each location. The journey of the mobile cannon will commence at Al Satwa Big Mosque and include stops at prominent landmarks such as Burj Khalifa, Nad Al Sheba, and Zabeel Park, among others.
Maj Gen Abdullah Al Ghaithi, Assistant Commandant for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, emphasized the significance of these cannons in upholding Arabic and Islamic customs during Ramadan. Dedicated teams will oversee the firing of each cannon, ensuring the timely announcement of iftar.
Furthermore, the cannon firings will be broadcast on television across the Emirates, allowing residents to participate in this age-old tradition from the comfort of their homes.
In preparation for the start of Ramadan, a committee is fully prepared to confirm the sighting of the Moon, which marks the beginning of the holy month. Lt Col Abdullah Al Amimi announced that vintage French cannons, dating back to the 1960s, will be utilized once again for this purpose.
These cannons will fire twice upon the confirmation of the Ramadan crescent Moon sighting and once daily to announce iftar. Additionally, they will fire twice consecutively to mark Eid Al Fitr and twice more on the first morning of Eid.
Lt Col Al Amimi highlighted the impressive capabilities of these cannons, weighing 25 pounds and producing a powerful sound reaching up to 170 decibels. Their resonant blasts can be heard up to 10 kilometers away, symbolizing the unity and communal spirit of Ramadan across Dubai.
In summary, the announcement of cannon firing locations for Ramadan 2024 underscores Dubai Police’s commitment to preserving traditions and fostering a sense of community during this sacred time. These cannons serve as symbolic markers, reminding residents of the spiritual significance of Ramadan and promoting unity throughout the emirate.
