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28 March 2024

Ramadan 2014: Dubai Police readies cannon

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By Staff

Dubai Police is in the midst of final preparations for Ramadan, which includes the tradition of firing a canon to mark the start of the holy month and the daily iftar time.

Major Abdullah Al Mubarak bin Misbah, head of the arms and ammunition in public administration services and equipment, has been making the final arrangements and remains on standby to fire the cannon that will announce the sighting of the new crescent and the start of Ramadan, as is tradition since the early 1960s.

Additionally, the cannon is also used to mark the celebration of Eid Al Fitr.

Major Misbah said that the department is equipped six guns, including four core and two reserves, which are to be used in the event one of the cannons malfunctions.

A group of 20 people have been assigned to ensure the cannons are shuttled to the chosen spots in Deira, Burj Khalifa, the Eid prayer ground in Bur Dubai, Safa Park and the Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Major Misbah explained the cannon has become an important tradition of the holy month, with tour companies adding them on their tourist routes during Ramadan.

A single shot will be fired at the time of iftar and two shots will be fired to mark the start of the holy month and the commencement of Eid.

The British-made 25 PDR MK1L Conons piece artillery has a sound range of 170 decibels, which, Major Misbah explained, reached most residential communities in the past, but due to urban development the range has considerably decreased.