By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Gold prices drop 1% globally due to measure to contain SVB crisis: Gold Bullion
    Gold prices drop 1% globally due to measure to contain SVB crisis: Gold Bullion
    March 28, 2023
    3.388 million tonnes of fodder worth $1.671bn released from ports in last 6 months: Agriculture Minister
    3.388 million tonnes of fodder worth $1.671bn released from ports in last 6 months: Agriculture Minister
    March 28, 2023
    New salary increase for public employees effective as of 13 April: Finance Minister
    New salary increase for public employees effective as of 13 April: Finance Minister
    March 28, 2023
    Transitional Committee of COP27 holds 1st meeting on ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ in Luxor
    Transitional Committee of COP27 holds 1st meeting on ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ in Luxor
    March 28, 2023
    Huawei, Elsewedy Electric sign MoU in solar energy, EV charging
    Huawei, Elsewedy Electric sign MoU in solar energy, EV charging 
    March 28, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Libyan parties agree to unify all state institutions: UN
    Libyan parties agree to unify all state institutions: UN
    March 28, 2023
    Health Ministry to launch campaign to detect chest, lung diseases nationwide
    Health Ministry to launch campaign to detect chest, lung diseases nationwide
    March 28, 2023
    National Dialogue Board of Trustees to resume meetings on 3 May 
    National Dialogue Board of Trustees to resume meetings on 3 May 
    March 28, 2023
    Germany has delivered Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine: Scholz
    Ukraine gets first batch of Leopard 2 tanks from Germany
    March 28, 2023
    China’s president Xi met with the King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud in 2017. Reuters/Alamy
    China’s latest diplomatic move will extend its trade, energy, financial and maritime power
    March 27, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Developers have to offer innovative products, state should provide more facilities to stimulate industry: Kareem Mamoun
    Developers have to offer innovative products, state should provide more facilities to stimulate industry: Kareem Mamoun
    March 27, 2023
    Government should help Egyptian arts revive its pioneering role: Omar Abdel Aziz
    Government should help Egyptian arts revive its pioneering role: Omar Abdel Aziz
    March 15, 2023
    Interconnected healthcare systems in Africa require political will from North African leaders: Amref official
    Interconnected healthcare systems in Africa require political will from North African leaders: Amref official
    March 12, 2023
    EGX ready for government’s IPOs programme: Chairperson
    EGX ready for government’s IPOs programme: Chairperson
    February 15, 2023
    British International Investment invests $4.5bn in 700 businesses across Africa: Sherine Shohdy
    February 15, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: Iftar Cannon: History behind special Ramadan tradition in Egypt
Share
Notification
Latest News
Gold prices drop 1% globally due to measure to contain SVB crisis: Gold Bullion
Gold prices drop 1% globally due to measure to contain SVB crisis: Gold Bullion
Business
3.388 million tonnes of fodder worth $1.671bn released from ports in last 6 months: Agriculture Minister
3.388 million tonnes of fodder worth $1.671bn released from ports in last 6 months: Agriculture Minister
Business
New salary increase for public employees effective as of 13 April: Finance Minister
New salary increase for public employees effective as of 13 April: Finance Minister
Business
Transitional Committee of COP27 holds 1st meeting on ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ in Luxor
Transitional Committee of COP27 holds 1st meeting on ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ in Luxor
Business
Huawei, Elsewedy Electric sign MoU in solar energy, EV charging
Huawei, Elsewedy Electric sign MoU in solar energy, EV charging 
Business
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > Culture > Iftar Cannon: History behind special Ramadan tradition in Egypt
Culture

Iftar Cannon: History behind special Ramadan tradition in Egypt

Nehal Samir
Last updated: 2021/04/14 at 7:40 PM
By Nehal Samir 5 Min Read
Share
Iftar Cannon: History behind special Ramadan tradition in Egypt
SHARE

Almost everything in Egypt has a historical background and several folk stories that were transmitted to us through different generations. The Iftar Cannon is an Egyptian old story related to the holy month of Ramadan and has always been associated with happy moments for millions of Egyptians.

The Ramadan cannon is fired at sunset every day during the holy month to announce the breaking of the fast.

After almost 30-year pause, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced that the Ramadan Cannon will be fired again from the square of the Police Museum in the Citadel of Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi in Cairo as it was in the past, after the Ministry restored its use.

Osama Talaat, Head of the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry’s Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector, said that there are many stories surrounding the Ramadan cannon. They all confirm that it originated in the city of Cairo, specifically in the Citadel of Salah al-Din in Cairo.

Although 30 years have passed since its suspension, it has remained in the hearts and minds of Egyptians, as it has become a well-established tradition and an aspect of the holy month.

One of the stories narrates that the Ramadan cannon dates back to the reign of the Mamluk Sultan Khaskadam, when he wanted to try a new cannon and ended up test firing it at sunset on the first day of Ramadan in 1467 CE. 

This caused people to think that the Sultan had deliberately fired the cannon to alert those fasting that it was time to break their fast. The masses of the people went out to the seat of government to thank him for the good innovation that he had introduced, and when the Sultan saw their pleasure, he decided to proceed with the firing of the cannon every day to mark the time for breaking the fast.

Another story tells of some soldiers during the reign of Khedive Ismail who were testing one of the cannons, and a shell was launched from it that rang in the sky of Cairo. 

This happened to take place at the same time as the sunset call to prayer (aazan) on the first day of Ramadan, making people think that the Khedive was following a new tradition to announce the time for breaking the fast. 

When Hajjah Fatima, daughter of Khedive Ismail, learned what had happened, she liked the idea, and asked the Khedive to issue a decree to make the firing of the cannon a new Ramadan habit, and at that time it was known as Al Hajjah Fatima cannon, and later its firing was added to the Suhoor and official holidays.

It is believed that the cannon was changed more than once and moved to more than one place. It is currently displayed in the square of the Police Museum at the Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi Citadel in Cairo.

It is a Krupp brand cannon produced in 1871 AD, and features an iron pipe resting on an iron base with two large wheels made of wood with iron frames. It is operated by two soldiers, one to insert gunpowder and the other to fire the shell.

Eman Zidan, Assistant Minister for Archaeological Sites and Museums, said that the restoration work on the cannon came as part of the ministry’s plan to raise the efficiency of tourism services in museums and archaeological sites. This includes those services found at the Cairo Citadel. 

She said that the cannon will be fired at sunset every day during the holy month to announce the breaking of the fast. This will ensure the preservation of the Citadel’s archaeological heritage, whilst keeping up with the use of modern technology by firing a laser beam next to the cannon.

Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the cannon’s restoration included removing a layer of rust that had formed on the body, and cleaning it from the inside

You Might Also Like

Meet Yehia Abouseif: Artist & designer hailing from Cairo and now based in New York

Strong representation of women in TV series of Ramadan 2023

Palestinians prepare for Ramadan amid hopes for restoring peace in West Bank, Gaza

Al-Sisi pardons all imprisoned debt defaulters ahead of Ramadan 

Toyin Falola: 3 recent books that explain the work of Nigeria’s famous decolonial scholar

TAGGED: Iftar Cannon, ramadan
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has said that portfolio investment flows directed to emerging markets (EMs) will witness a slow and uneven recovery in favour of regions with the strongest economic recovery. Financial position of banks in Egypt rises to EGP 7.158trn in January 2021: CBE
Next Article Egyptian Armed Forces continue sterilisation at major mosques during Ramadan Egyptian Armed Forces continue sterilisation at major mosques during Ramadan
Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

Gold prices drop 1% globally due to measure to contain SVB crisis: Gold Bullion
Gold prices drop 1% globally due to measure to contain SVB crisis: Gold Bullion
Business
3.388 million tonnes of fodder worth $1.671bn released from ports in last 6 months: Agriculture Minister
3.388 million tonnes of fodder worth $1.671bn released from ports in last 6 months: Agriculture Minister
Business
New salary increase for public employees effective as of 13 April: Finance Minister
New salary increase for public employees effective as of 13 April: Finance Minister
Business
Transitional Committee of COP27 holds 1st meeting on ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ in Luxor
Transitional Committee of COP27 holds 1st meeting on ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ in Luxor
Business
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?