The cannon of Jerusalem 

The month of Ramadan in Jerusalem 

 

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is one of the important celebrations in the Muslim calendar observed by Muslims worldwide. During the month, every Muslim is expected to fast from dawn until sunset to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad, which serves as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judment so that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

 

Prophet Mohammad said “A prayer in al-Aqsa Mosque  is worth 500 prayers”. Jerusalem is a blessed area. A multitude of Prophets have lived, died and buried and other have passed through its lands.

 

Al Haram Al Sharif stands at the center of the Ramadan celebrations in Jerusalem. The Muslim religious authority (Waqf), carries responsibility for the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cannon of Jerusalem 

 

 

Every day during Ramadan, two cannon shots are fired, one at sunrise and one at sunset. These ceremonial cannon shots represent the beginning and end of each fast day. The Haj Yahya Sandouk family is responsible for the firing of the cannon during the month of the Ramadan and during Eid al-Fitr, a tradition they have held for 120 years since the Ottoman period