Dubai Police fire heritage cannon to mark end of daily fast in Ramadan

Описание: (24 Feb 2026)
UAE RAMADAN CANNON

SOURCE: ASSOCAITED PRESS

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

LENGTH: 2:06

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 23 February 2026
1. Dubai police officers loading cannon
2. Police officer loading shell
3. Various of visitors around the cannon
4. Officer giving order to fire
5. Various of cannon firing
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Lt. Abdullah Tarish al-Amimi, police officer:
“This cannon was used by the General Command of the Dubai Police in the early 1960s, in the past century. It is a handed-down cannon that preserves the heritage and traditions of the holy month of Ramadan. As we say in our local dialect, the firing of the cannon is a declaration of breaking the fast in the holy month of Ramadan before there were loudspeakers, (mosque) minarets and microphones. At that time, people used to break their fast when they heard the sound of the cannon.”

7. Visitors at the site of the cannon
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abdullah al-Hamadi, journalist:
“Of course, the cannon holds precious memories for the Emirati people. It is one of the popular folk items that has a lot of memories because it served as their alarm for the time of breaking the fast. It is nice to see that it is still preserved, and it is still a symbol of the Emirati (cultural) memory.”

9. Visitors taking photo with police officers and mascots
STORYLINE:
Long out of date but thriving as a prime Ramadan tradition, the Dubai cannon fires every day during the Muslim fasting month, ushering in the end of the fast.

Families gathered on Monday at Dubai's Expo City to watch the cannon firing ceremony, a tradition that dates back generations and was practiced across many Arab nations.

Police officers loaded a vintage green cannon from the 1960s with a large golden shell while onlookers buzzed with excitement as they awaited the thunderous launch.

Visitors clapped as soon as they heard the cannon firing, and some children covered their ears upon hearing the sound.

Lt. Abdullah Tarish al-Amimi, nicknamed "Ramadan commander" has been responsible for the cannon firing for years.

While he has been unable to break the fast with his family, he finds the tradition worthwhile because it preserves Emirati heritage and bring joy to people.

Although cannon firing is no longer necessary as loudspeakers blare with the call to prayer that marks the end of fasting, the tradition remains deeply valued.

For Abdullah al-Hamadi, a journalist based in Sharjah, the cannon firing is a symbol of cultural identity. "The cannon holds precious memories for the Emirati people," he said.

The tradition of the Ramadan cannon has various stories of origin, but it is widely believed to have started by coincidence in Cairo, Egypt.

The cannon was later used to announce the beginning and the end of the fast, which starts at dawn and ends at sunset every day during Ramadan.

The tradition spread to different countries like the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, among others.

AP video by Bassam Hatoum

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected].

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...