Read the complete story here: https://gulfnews.com/lifestyle/community/explained-why-is-a-cannon-fired-to-mark-the-end-of-fasting-1.63775760
Why is the cannon fired at iftar time during Ramadan? Gulf News spoke with an Emirati culture expert on the history and significance of cannon firing to announce the time of maghrib during Ramadan.
Why is the cannon fired at iftar time during Ramadan? Gulf News spoke with an Emirati culture expert on the history and significance of cannon firing to announce the time of maghrib during Ramadan.
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00:28Dubai Police, we are proud to be from the 60s till these days
00:33to serve and to supervise the cannon here in United Arab Emirates in Dubai.
00:39It's fantastic for all the audience and the people to come over and enjoy.
00:44By only the awareness that and advice for all the audience and visitor
00:51to be aware about the safety and security around the cannon.
00:55There is nothing, there is no issue with the cannon so we enjoy it.
01:00You will find it very interesting and the same time you will know more about it.
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01:11The reason for using the cannon is in the old days they had mosques
01:14but they didn't have speakers.
01:16So when it calls to pray, people start eating, breaking the fast.
01:20What happen is the cannon, when they start the cannon people can hear it
01:25and they start breaking their fast, start eating.
01:28In 1930 it started in Sharjah and in 1960 it started in Dubai.
01:32In Abu Dhabi it started in 1970.
01:34It's a beautiful sound because it's some sound that we used to remember
01:38when we were kids.
01:40We would be standing outside and as soon as it hits we run in as kids
01:44and start eating with our family.
01:46Our past history, our past families, our ancestors who they used to actually
01:52prepare everything half an hour before it calls to pray or before the cannon
01:57and then they would start to eat.
01:59And all the TVs in Dubai they would actually focus on it
02:01which is very, very interesting.
02:03We all sit around and watch and watch them because it's quite interesting.