Dubai Police have announced the locations of this year’s Ramadan cannons, with seven stationed at fixed locations across the emirate and a roaming cannon that will visit 17 different residential areas throughout the holy month.
The stationary cannons will be fired at sunset each evening to signal the start of iftar, while the roaming cannon will move to a new location every two days, allowing residents in various communities to experience the tradition.
“The increase in the number of locations this year is a direct response to public feedback, ensuring that this beloved Ramadan tradition reaches a wider segment of the community who look forward to and enjoy it,” said Maj Gen Abdullah Al Ghaithi, assistant commandant for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police.
Stationary cannon locations
- Expo City Dubai (Main location)
- Damac Hills
- Mirdif
- Burj Khalifa
- Wasl (Dubai Real Estate Corporation)
- Hatta Fort Hotel
- Salt Camp at Kite Beach
- Festival City
The roaming cannon will begin its journey at Flaq Al Meydan before moving across various neighbourhoods including Al Satwa Grand Mosque, Al Marmoom, Zabeel Park, Al Khawaneej Majlis, Festival City, Wasl 1 Community, Madinat Jumeirah, Al Barsha Park, Al Habab, Nad Al Sheba 1 – Al Ghaf Walk, Ayton Mirdif, Margham, Luluwi, Nad Al Sheba Park, Burj Khalifa, and Jumeirah Kite Beach, ensuring a wider reach for this cherished tradition.
Two old French cannons, dating back to the 1960s, will be used. The 25-pound cannons produce a sound of 170 decibels, reaching a distance of 10 kilometres.
In addition to the Ramadan cannons, Expo City Dubai’s “Ramadan District” will feature various activities including workshops and live performances. The events will run daily from 5pm to 1am and offer families and visitors a chance to enjoy the Ramadan spirit in a festive atmosphere.
What is Ramadan?
The month of Ramadan is when able Muslims abstain from food, drink and oral medicine from sunrise (fajr) to sunset (maghrib). When the sun sets, Muslims break their fast with a meal called iftar.
Considered the holiest month in the Islamic – or Hijri – calendar, Ramadan is believed to be when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. It is a time when Muslims strengthen their faith through prayer, recitation of the holy book and charitable acts.
How long does fasting last each day?
With the month falling earlier this year, Muslims can expect to fast for a slightly shorter time than they did last year, though the days lengthen towards the end of the month.
This year, Muslims in the UAE will begin the month by fasting for about 14 hours and 13 minutes. The fasting time will steadily increase as the holy month progresses. By the end of Ramadan, the fast will last for 14 hours and 55 minutes.
What time do Muslims pray during Ramadan?
Prayer is one of the five pillars of Islam and Muslims are obliged to pray five times a day: fajr, dhuhr, asr, maghrib and isha. Throughout the holy month, an additional extended evening prayer called taraweeh is performed after isha.
During the final 10 nights of Ramadan, when Muslims increase their piety, some may choose to perform tahajjud prayers – also known as qiyam al layl – which are carried out after taraweeh throughout the night.
Muslims typically try to pray at mosques as it is thought there is a greater reward in communal prayer.
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If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
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Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Multitasking pays off for money goals
Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.
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