A hallmark of Ramadan in Qatar since the 1970s is a cannon that is fired every evening to announce the timing of breaking the fast. 

The cannon used to be stationed near General Post Office (GPO) until last Ramadan but this year it has been shifted to the state mosque, Mohamed bin Abdul Wahab Mosque, in Dafna.

Children are very fond of the unique cannon-firing tradition in Qatar. They gather at the site every evening, accompanied by their parents during the fasting month. 

Back in the day, people in Qatar used to break fast only after hearing the cannon’s sound. But now there is so much of din due to rising population in the city that its sound is stifled. 

Qatar TV features cannon firing every evening before Maghrib (sunset) prayer to announce the time for Iftar.