Jerusalem Mayor to Fire Ancient Ramadan Cannon Ending Islamic Fast

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat is set to fire the ancient Ramadan cannon on Tuesday signaling the end of the Islamic holy month's daily fasts.

The cannon will be fired at the ancient cemetery on Salah a Din Street near the Old City police station together with the Haj Yahya Sandouka family.

The Sandouka hamullah (clan) has been responsible for firing the cannon during the month of Ramadan and on Eid al-Fitr, the holiday ending the fast, since the Ottoman period 200 years ago.

The cannon is fired twice each day of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, at sunrise and sunset, marking the beginning and the end of the fast each day.

Following the ceremony, the mayor will join the dignitaries of the neighborhood for the Iftar meal.

Ramadan, which began on June 6, ends this year on July 5, when Muslims celebrate the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the fast, and which lasts in countries for up to three days.