Police ensure Ramadan goes off with a bang

As the first day of Ramadan came to a close on Monday, Dubai Police followed a long tradition by firing their cannon to signal the end of fasting.

epa02851885 An UAE police fire a cannon, as a signal for the end of the fasting day during Ramadan, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 01 August 2011. Muslims began the fasting month of Ramadan on 01 August in most of Islamic countries and other will start the holy month on 02 August. Muslims during Ramadan abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and having sexual relation from sunrise to sunset.  EPA/ALI HAIDER *** Local Caption ***  02851885.jpg
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DUBAI // As the first day of Ramadan came to a close on Monday, Dubai Police followed a long tradition by firing their cannon to signal the end of fasting.

The force has been following the custom since the early 1960s, attracting sizeable crowds. Two shots are fired at the start of Ramadan, and of Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. One shot is fired to announce iftar every evening.

The police have six cannon in total - two in Deira, one in Karama, one in Safa Park and two spare. They are operated by a team of 20 officers - five at each site. All the cannon are British-made.