Bahrainis have welcomed the return of a popular Ramadan tradition as Manama’s iftar cannon fired again in front of large crowds after two years of covid restrictions.
Large crowds were not allowed to attend the cannon firing over the last two years as part of restrictions that included reduced movement and bans on gatherings as well as rules on mask wearing, brought in to prevent the spread of Covid-19. But this year, many more people could be seen observing the firing.
The tradition, which marks the end of a day's fast during the holy month, remains across much of the Middle East.
“Last year, there were more restrictions to Covid-19 since the pandemic was all around the world, and we had a lot of restrictions like wearing a mask and social distancing and no one is allowed to enter to take pictures of the cannon and the police officers,” First Lieutenant for Bahrain's Ministry of Interior, Abdulrahman Al Mansouri, told Reuters.
“This year, the Kingdom of Bahrain reduced the restrictions outdoors and indoors by leaving the choice to the community to wear the mask or not and they can enter the cannon site to take pictures of the police officers and the cannon.”
The firing of the cannon reached Bahrain through Saudi Arabia, where it was adopted as a modern tradition in the 1920s in Makkah and Madinah. It first began in Egypt.
Spectators made a welcome return after Bahrain scrapped many of its Covid-19 restrictions on March 30, taking photos with the cannon and police officers.
Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, Bahrain has recorded about 560,023 cases and 1,473 deaths.
On Monday, the country's Health Ministry recorded 592 new cases and one death.
“We are happy to witness this tradition with our children and teach them the story behind the iftar cannon and what it symbolises to us as Muslims and a community,” Ahmed, a visitor to the cannon display in Manama, told the Bahrain News Agency.
“This annual ceremony welcomes us to embrace this tradition with safety and prosperity.”
Cannons fired at The Avenues waterfront shopping area in the capital, and the Arad and Riffa forts.
Bahrain also announced a scheme to renovate mosques across the country, and build new ones.
This story has been amended to clarify the Ramadan cannon was fired during the pandemic, however covid restrictions on large gatherings still applied.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
