Photos: Ramadan cannons around UAE

Dubai police personnel firing cannon to announce Iftar time at Burj Park in Dubai. The boom of cannon fire that declares iftar is a Ramadan tradition that has not lost its appeal with time.

A cannon at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is fired to mark the end of the day's fasting.

In Sharjah, the Ramadan cannon is being fired at Al Majaz Waterfront. Ramadan cannons in Sharjah began in 1930 followed by Dubai in 1960 and Abu Dhabi in 1970. Above, Sharjah police personnel get ready to fire cannon at Al Majaz waterfront.

The cannon at Atlantis hotel in Dubai is fired daily during Ramadan to signal the sunset, which is when people can break their fast.

This year, the Dubai Police have stationed cannons across the Emirate in five locations, including Atlantis the Palm, Burj Khalifa, Al Seef, Al Waheda at Century Mall Dubai, and Hatta in front of Emirates Cooperative Society and Hatta Hill Park.

The cannon fires a blank cartridge that only contains black powder. These impressive Ramadan cannons in Dubai were built in 1945 in Britain and have since then been used to announce prayer and iftar timings during the holy month in Dubai for decades. With a sound range of 170 decibels, they can be heard as far as 10 km away.

Sharjah police personnel firing cannon at Al Majaz waterfront in Sharjah.

Every year, Sharjah TV broadcasts the firing of cannons as part of a daily live show that runs throughout Ramadan.

Visitors watch the Iftar Cannon firing at the Al Seef Ramadan Market in Dubai.

Families gather at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah to witness cannon fire.