DUBAI: Waiting to hear the Ramadan cannon for iftar is a longstanding tradition in the homes of Dubai residents.
Over the years, Dubai has increased the number of iftar cannons around the Emirate, which are operated by the police.
There is one man that Dubai residents look for every year around Iftar time, Lt. Col. Abdulla Tarish Al-Amimi.
Al-Amimi has been announcing for eight years the now-familiar “fire” from the main cannon’s location, which is broadcast live on television.
Al-Amimi said it is an important tradition that has been modernized.
“Despite the changes in our city and society the canon remains unchanged and continues to resonate with all generations,” added Al-Amimi.
This tradition attracts both tourists and Dubai visitors, he said.
“The cannon has a strong appeal to people, when someone brings back a tradition from their homeland others are naturally drawn to it and want to learn more,” he explained.
Anastasiia Chetverikov, a Dubai tourist from Russia, said this was her first experience of Ramadan.
“As a non-Muslim, I have always been interested in the Ramadan celebrations. It’s interesting to learn about new cultures and experience something new,” said Chetverikov.
Even for Muslims from other regions, Ramadan in Dubai is a completely different experience.
American visitor Elizabeth Ibrahim said the UAE has captured the spirit of Ramadan.
“Hearing the call to prayer out loud is amazing, we don’t have anything like that back home. The canon is something new to me. I’ve never heard of it before but it’s really cool that it’s used to signal Maghrib time,” added Ibrahim.
But why is the cannon used?
The practice can be traced to 10th-century Egypt during the Fatimid caliphate when a cannon was used to announce iftar.
This year the main cannon has been stationed at the Expo City near the iconic Al-Wasl Plaza as part of the second Hai Ramadan celebrations.
Featuring decor inspired by a traditional Emirati Hai — the Arabic word for neighborhood — Hai Ramadan serves classic traditional treats including luqaimat, Arabic coffee and regag.
Throughout the evening, performers light up the Al-Wasl Plaza which includes a traditional storytelling experience. A hakawati — an ancient storyteller — performs alongside the Expo City mascots Rashid and Latifa, sharing stories and morals about the holy month.
Hai Ramadan will run until April 10 and is open from 5 p.m. until midnight.
