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An iftar canon at the ready at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah during a previous Ramadan Image Credit: Sharjah Police

Sharjah: Sharjah Police have selected five locations in the emirate to place cannons to be fired at sunset to announce iftar, the time of ending the day’s fast throughout Ramadan.

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Iftar is marked at sunset, which is around 6.30pm in Sharjah these days.

Iftar cannon locations
• Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah city
• Hison Al Dhaid, Central Region
• Clock Tower, Kalba city
• Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre, Khor Fakkan
• Dibba Al Hisn Comprehensive Centre Square, Dibba Al Hisn

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Sharjah Police said the firing of cannons to announce the iftar time is a custom followed in several Arab and Muslim countries. A large number of people, including non-Muslims, gather at the places where cannons are fired to announce iftar time.

In Sharjah, the iftar cannon firing is shown live and a number of people call their families back home so they can see them on Sharjah TV.

Sharjah Police urged people coming to watch the cannon firing not to park their vehicles in the middle of the road as it leads to traffic jams.