In Pictures: An age-old tradition that signals the start of iftar

A cannon is fired outside the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The 170-decibel cannon shot has been a part of the experience of fasting in the UAE since the 1930s.

Dubai Police fire the cannon at Expo City Dubai. Firing cannons during Ramadan has been a practice in the UAE. Each day, a single shot is fired to announce the end of fasting and the start of Iftar, and two shots are fired to signal the beginning of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr

Global Village guests await the firing of the cannon at Majlis of the World.

The cannon at Zabeel near Grand Mosque being prepared to fire.

Dubai Police personnel take the cannon back after firing it to announce iftar time during Ramadan at Burj Park in Dubai.

People wait as police personnel prepare to fire the iftar cannon at Festival City.

Umm Al Quwain Police after firing the cannon at Shaikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi Mosque.

Sharjah police personnel fire cannon to announce Iftar time at Al Majaz waterfront on the second day of Holy month of Ramadan.

Visitors gather to watch as Dubai Police personnel prepare to fire the cannon to announce iftar time at Burj Park.

Visitors gather to watch as Dubai Police personnel prepare to fire the cannon to announce iftar time at Burj Park.

A visitor has his photo clicked as he poses with Dubai Police personnel at Burj Park.