As the first week of Ramadan begins, life slows down across the UAE and the region.
It’s a month to observe fasting, where one creates a space for reflection and engages in acts of charity. It’s also a time when families and communities gather to spend time together and share meals.
One tradition that bonds people during Ramadan is the firing of cannon, heard once a day as the sun sets and mosques start the call for prayer. It's a signal for those observing fast that they can now have iftar.
The photo above shows an Emirati policeman firing a cannon in Sharjah during Ramadan, on December 30, 1997.
The iftar cannon is known as madfa al iftar, which literally translates to the cannon for breaking fast.
The exact origins of this tradition are not clear. There are many conflicting accounts on how or when it started, but one of the common stories recounts that it began in Cairo, Egypt, during the 15th-century Mamluk dynasty.
The sultan at the time was in the process of testing a cannon that was given to him and fired it at sunset during Ramadan. Many residents of the city thought it was intentional, marking the end of fasting for the day. Seeing the positive public response, the sultan ordered for the cannon to be fired every day.
Other accounts also trace the story to Egypt, but during the 19th century. A cannon was fired by Muhammad Ali, the ruler of Egypt in the early 19th century at sunset during Ramadan, apparently by coincidence. Another story recounts soldiers testing a cannon at sunset in Ramadan at the time of the ruler Khedive Ismail of Egypt in late-19th century.
In all stories it seems the firing of the cannon began as an accident but then progressed to become a Ramadan fixture. No matter its origins, firing cannon to mark the end of fasting spread across the region.
It makes practical sense, a loud cannon being used to inform the public when to break their fast before clocks were common place and watches or modern timekeeping technology were used.
The UAE started the tradition in the 1960s before speaker systems were in place in mosques. And while today, those observing a fast can easily be informed of iftar time through the sound of the adhan from neighbourhood mosques or through the TV, many still listen out for the firing of the cannon during the holy month.
In Dubai, the responsibility and process of the firing of the cannon during Ramadan is managed by Dubai Police. It is fired twice to signal the start of Ramadan and then once every day to announce iftar. To signal the end of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, the cannon are fired twice in a row and then twice again on Eid morning.
According to protocol four police officers must be present at each firing.
And while the UAE is hailed for its forward-thinking and innovative vision, at a time where technology has made our lives much easier to plan, there is something enduring about this traditional method.
For those who observe fasting and those who don't, the firing of the cannon during Ramadan is a reminder of the importance of community and how traditions can still exist in a modern world.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
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IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
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%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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