UAE | Heritage and Culture
Ramadan cannons keep historic tradition alive
Historically, the Ramadan cannon has served as a means to announce the end of the fast at sunset. However, today it plays an important but different role, namely to keep Ramadan traditions alive.
- By Wafa Issa, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:54 September 1, 2008
- Policemen fire a cannon at Safa Park in Dubai. This year, Dubai Police have placed cannons in Al Musalla, Al Ras area, Karama Musalla and Al Safa Park to announce iftar.
- Image Credit: Gulf News archive
Dubai: Historically, the Ramadan cannon has served as a means to announce the end of the fast at sunset. However, today it plays an important but different role, namely to keep Ramadan traditions alive.
The firing of the cannon is believed to date from the early days of Islam, when the Fatimid caliph instructed that a cannon be placed at the highest point of a city so that during Ram-adan, all Muslims would be able to hear the shot signalling the end of the fast at sunset.
In the UAE, the tradition started in Sharjah during the rule of Sultan Bin Saqr who ruled from 1803 to 1866, according to Hussain Al Badi, Director of the Emirates Centre for Heritage, History and Culture.
"The exact date when the cannon was introduced is not known, but it is common knowledge that it was used to announce the breaking of the fast at one point during the reign of Shaikh Sultan Bin Saqr," Al Badi said.
In Dubai, the cannon was introduced during the rule of Shaikh Saeed Al Maktoum (1912-1958) to unify the call for iftar.
Timing
"The imams were instructed by the Ruler not to call for iftar until they heard the firing of the cannon. The timing was determined by the Ruler upon recommendation from a group of religious scholars," said Al Badi.
In 1960 the firing of the cannon was entrusted to Dubai Police. Since then, the Ramadan cannon has remained under their supervision.
Although the Ramadan cannon is part of the tradition in most emirates, Abu Dhabi has never followed suit, according to Dr Faleh Handal, a researcher in UAE history and heritage.
Historically, military cannons were used. However, nowadays it has been replaced by a sonic cannon.
"Although today there are no practical reasons for the use of the cannon, the majority of them still exist in order to preserve our tradition.
The Ramadan cannon has become symbolic and it is an important aspect of our folklore," said Al Badi.
This year, Dubai Police have placed cannons in Al Musalla, Al Ras area, Karama Musalla and Al Safa Park to announce iftar. A crew of five, consisting of one sergeant, one traffic officer and three soldiers, are assigned to bring the cannon into the designated area.
Sharjah
In Sharjah, 10 cannons are being set up in Al Qaraen, Midan Al Hisn, Al Tala'a area, Buheirah Corniche and Al Hera area. The Sharjah government will also distribute meals to those attending the cannon firing this year.
Usually, crowds gather around the cannon to witness the firing as a form of celebration of the fasting month and a way to preserve traditions before going to the mosque to offer the Maghrib (sunset) prayer.
Expatriates living in Sharjah gather around the cameras during the firing to greet their relatives back home.
Share this article
More from UAE Heritage & Culture
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week
Latest news
- From Palestinian refugee to citizen of the world
- Haj pilgrims required to get vaccinated
- Kalimat launches children's book
- Man flees without informing employer
- Housemaid gets one-year jail for theft
- Cleaner to serve 6 months for rape
- Father and son charged with theft
- Three arrested for hosting 31 infiltrators
- Car rental violations net Dh541,000
- Scores of drivers complain about fines
- Detours to allow for Salam Street work
- Readers celebrate World Kindness Day
- Men urged to report erectile dysfunction
- Check-ups are key to keep silent killer at bay
- Children step on board mobile library
Community Reports
-
Be kind to animals
Mistreated Labrador and puppy need new home filled with love
-
Help me find my precious cat
Raif, my cute eight-month-old ‘fur ball', went missing in Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen area last month
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
