Dubai Police officer prepares to fire cannon in Al Mankhool area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai Police officer prepares to fire cannon in Al Mankhool area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai Police officer prepares to fire cannon in Al Mankhool area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai Police officer prepares to fire cannon in Al Mankhool area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai Police cannons take position to mark Eid Al Adha 2023


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Dubai Police cannons are ready to announce the start of Eid Al Adha.

The force announced the six venues in the emirate where the Eid Al Adha cannons will be placed.

As the Muslim world wakes up to the Day of Arafah, most will be fasting until sunset on Tuesday when the cannon will fire. It is said that fasting on Arafah for non-pilgrims is a highly recommended Sunnah which entails a great reward, as God forgives two years of the faster's sins.

The firing of the cannon will mark beginning of the Muslim holiday.

The locations are:

  • Za'abeel
  • Umm Suqeim
  • Nad Al Sheba
  • Al Mankhool
  • Nad Al Hammar
  • Al Baraha

Dubai police have been firing the cannons on special occasions such Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and during Ramadan since the early 1960s.

During Ramadan this year, cannons were placed at Grand Zabeel Mosque, and at prayer sites in Al Barsha, Baraha, Nadd Al Hamar, Hatta, Nad Al Shiba and Muallah Al Mankhool.

The cannons, which can be heard from up to 10km away, have been a tradition in the UAE since the 1960s.

They are a reminder of the importance of community and how traditions can still exist in the modern world.

According to protocol, four officers from Dubai Police must be present at each firing. Two officers man the cannon, one passes the blank cartridge and the other loads it.

Two officers at the back are guardians of the cannon and give orders. When it is time for iftar, an officer gives the order for the cannon to be fired.

Recently, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced free parking for the four days of the Eid Al Adha holiday.

The transport authority said parking will be free of charge from Tuesday, June 27, until Friday, June 30.

However, drivers must still pay to use multi-storey car parks, said officials.

The RTA also announced that Dubai Metro will operate for an additional hour – until 1am – during part of the holiday.

Services are usually from 5am until midnight, except on Fridays, when trains run until 1am.

Eid Al Adha preparations around the UAE: in pictures

Dubai World Cup factbox

Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)

Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet

Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

If you go

The flights

The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings

The stay

Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

Results

1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000

2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000

3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000

If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. 
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.   

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

Updated: June 27, 2023, 8:04 AM`