Everyday thousands of Muslim worshipers throughout the occupied Palestinian territories stand on their balconies and the doorsteps of their houses awaiting the firing of the cannon in the holy month of Ramadan.
The firing of the cannon in the occupied Palestinian territories as in other Islamic territories notifies worshipers that it is time to break their fast.
“My grandfather was responsible for firing the cannon to announce it was iftar time because at that time there were no watches on hands and clocks in houses” said Palestinian citizen Raja’i Sonduqa from Occupied Jerusalem. “Somebody sitting in the plaza of al-Aqsa Mosque waves to another person standing on Jerusalem’s wall and the latter makes a sign to my grandfather to fire the cannon using gunpowder to announce Iftar time.”
My father learned how to shoot the canon from his father. My brothers and I used to accompany my father to al-Mujahideen Cemetery in Salah al-Din Street in Occupied Jerusalem to learn the shooting technique. As time passed by we took on the mission” added Sonduqa.
“We used to fire the cannon on several occasions including the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) the eve of Aid al-Fitr and the Greater Eid. However due to the Israeli restrictions and crackdowns we now fire the cannon only in Ramadan” he further stated.
“I’ve been taking charge of the mission for over 27 years. This cannon dates back to the Jordanian era. An older cannon dating back to the Ottoman era and which was used by my grandfather was transferred to the Islamic Museum at holy al-Aqsa Mosque” he explained.
“This has never been an easy task. It needs exhaustive preparation and drills. We also need to get an authorization from Israel’s municipality explosives expert and police in Occupied Jerusalem” maintained Sonduqa. “However after 2000 the Israeli occupation authorities prevented us from using gunpowder with which my grandfather used to operate the cannon under counterfeit pretexts.”
“Sound bombs and firecrackers replaced the traditional technique. Israeli security officers show up at the cemetery before the crack of dawn and sunset. They leave after the cannon gets fired” he said. “However despite all Israeli restrictions I’ve left no stone unturned to preserve that tradition which the occupation authorities outlawed in Bethlehem al-Khalil and Nablus following the First Intifada (uprising) more than 25 years ago.”
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of Islam’s five pillars. Worshipers must refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk until the Muezzins call for prayer from mosque minarets. The sound of the cannon fired from the cliff would resonate and reach the Muslim communities through the mountains to announce the end of one day and the beginning of another.
