People taking pictures of cannon firing.
DOHA: Among the beautiful annual traditional practices of Ramadan which still attract people is Iftar cannon. Firing of sound shells from the cannon is one of the old custom of Doha since the seventies to inform people about Iftar time.
There are four cannons installed at places including Souq Waqif, Katara, Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Grand Mosque and Souq Waqif Al Wakrah.
Traditionally, cannons were fired to announce ending of Suhoor and breaking of the fast long before loudspeakers and other digital gadgets were invented to do the same duty.
Daily, a number of parents accompany their children to watch the breakfast cannon closely, and they also take souvenir photos with Ramadan cannons, as one of the most important aspects of the heritage associated with the Holy month of Ramadan.
The story of Ramadan cannon in Qatar is very old dating back to the establishment of the state of Qatar and despite the development that the Qatar is witnessing in all fields but it has kept this tradition alive.
The cannons are still the same but have become more modern with the passage of time and scientific advancement. Cannon Iftar is one of the most important Ramadan feature that everyone enjoys, not just the children even older people like to see it to recollect their past memories.
“It is important not to neglect such beautiful customs and traditions. It provides a source of joy to children and also teaches them about our traditional heritage. We thank authorities who have installed Iftar canons at four different places which can also be visited by general public,” said Jassim Mohamed.
