Dubai readies Ramadan cannons but crowds not allowed

Dubai Police's cannon team will fire the shot that will signal the start of Ramadan and the breaking of the fast each evening this month. Courtesy - Dubai Police

Dubai Police will continue with the tradition of firing the cannon to announce the sighting of the new crescent moon and the beginning of Ramadan.

However, this year, it will be without the usual crowds of people waiting to hear the shots.

The police have urged people to stay home and watch the cannons fire live on television.

The guns will be located at the Burj Khalifa, Al Khawaneej, Eid prayer grounds in Mankhool and Atlantis, The Palm.

“They are one of the traditions of our holy month, but due to circumstances this year and as part of the precautionary measures taken by the emirate, the cannons will be fired without crowds,” said Maj Abdullah Tarish, of the General Department of Organisations Security and Protective Emergency.

The iftar cannons in Dubai have become an important tradition of the holy month.

The cannon is first fired to mark the beginning of Ramadan, and then each day a cannon announces the breaking of the fast at maghrib sunset prayers.

The holy month is likely to begin this weekend.