The shooting of cannon reminds people of the time they could end their fast.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Every day during the holy month of Ramadan, a single shot is fired at the time of Iftar and two shots are fired to mark the start of the holy month and the commencement of Eid. Dubai Police have been making the final arrangements and remain 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.

Major Abdullah Tarish Al Amimi, Commander of the Artillery Unit in the General Department of Protective Security and Emergency, said that stationed cannon have been set up in five different locations across the emirates, including Atlantis the Palm, Burj Khalifa, Al Seef, Al Waheda at Century Mall Dubai, and Hatta in front of Emirates Cooperative Society and Hatta Hill Park.

Moreover, for the first time, this year Dubai Police will be dispatching roaming cannon in another 11 areas across the emirate, including Al Satwa near the Big Mosque, Al Quoz near Al Anbiya’a Mosque, Al Lisaili near Al Nahda National School, Lahbab near Lahbab Community Park 1, Al Aweer near Sheikh Hamdan Mosque, Al Khawaneej near Ahmed Al Habbai Mosque, and Muhaisnah near Abdul Rahim Mohammed Kti Mosque.

The roaming cannon are scheduled to remain for three days in the above areas and for two days in the following areas: Al Warqa near the Big Mosque, Jebel Ali near Ibn Battuta Mall and Ain Dubai, Nad Al Sheba near Nad Al Sheba Park and Al Barsha near Al-Buhaira Park. Major Al Amimi pointed out that the Dubai Police strive to keep the tradition alive as the shooting of cannon reminds people of the time they could end their fast.

REVISED SCHEDULE FOR INMATE VISITS DURING RAMADAN: In another development, the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions at Dubai Police has announced a revised schedule for inmate visits during the holy month of Ramadan. In line with the state's efforts to curb COVID-19 and ensure the safety of inmates and their families, visitations will continue to be held remotely with a visual communication service during the official business hours from 9am until 12pm.

He explained that families should first request an online visit through the Dubai Police app available on smartphones; they will then receive a text message with a link to the specific date and time for the video call. They can later go to Dubai Police's official website and connect to the inmates who would be offered the necessary electronic devices to join the call.