Dubai police are preparing Ramadan cannons to signal the sighting of the crescent moon at seven different locations across the city. — X@DubaiPoliceHQ
While many Pakistanis might recall the nostalgic drumbeats marking suhoor in cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, that cherished pre-dawn tradition has mostly faded in urban areas. Conversely, Dubai and other UAE emirates continue to uphold a centuries-old Ramadan custom: announcing iftar with cannon fire.
Every evening during Ramadan, over 17 locations such as Burj Khalifa Park, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Damac Hills, Expo City Dubai (Al Wasl Plaza), Dubai Festival City, and Creek Harbour echo with the thunderous blast of cannons, signaling the time to break the fast. Residents and visitors pause to listen to the distinctive roar—a daily reaffirmation of faith, community, and cultural tradition.
“This cannon fire is more than just a signal for iftar,” remarked a Dubai cultural official. “It connects generations, preserves our heritage, and celebrates the holy month with unity and pride.”
The tradition also plays a role in Eid celebrations, with two cannon shots fired after morning prayers to mark the end of Ramadan and herald the festival. Authorities emphasize that the practice is both symbolic and safe, seamlessly blending heritage with the modern cityscape.
For Pakistanis, where the pre-dawn drumming tradition has largely disappeared from major cities like Karachi, Dubai’s cannon blasts serve as a compelling reminder that urban centers can maintain cultural customs even amid rapid modernization.
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Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela “Janja” da Silva pay their respects to Pope Francis inside St. Peter’s Basilica as he lies in state, at the Vatican, on April 25, 2025. —Reuters
Francis transformed the Church, faced resistance from traditionalists.
His funeral departs from tradition, with burial outside the Vatican.
World leaders, including those from the USA, France, and Argentina, will attend.
VATICAN CITY: Dignitaries, world leaders, and countless faithful will gather on Saturday for a funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square to honor Pope Francis’s impactful yet often controversial papacy.
Among the attendees from over 150 countries is former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had significant disagreements with Francis, particularly regarding immigration policies.
The Argentine pontiff passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke, marking the beginning of a carefully orchestrated transition for the 1.4 billion members of the Roman Catholic Church, filled with solemn rituals and mourning.
Over the past three days, approximately 250,000 individuals have paid their respects, viewing his body which was displayed in an ornate casket in the grand St. Peter’s Basilica.
On Saturday, his casket will be brought out through the main entrance for the outdoor funeral, commencing at 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT). Rows of international dignitaries will be situated to one side of the stone colonnade, facing hundreds of red-hatted cardinals on the opposite side.
In addition to Trump, leaders from Argentina, France, Gabon, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, and Ukraine are expected to attend, along with the prime ministers of the UK and New Zealand, and various European royals.
The Vatican anticipates that around 250,000 mourners will gather in the expansive, cobbled plaza to participate in the ceremony, which will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a 91-year-old Italian prelate.
Francis, the first non-European pope in nearly 1,300 years, endeavored to reform the Catholic Church during his 12-year papacy, advocating for the poor and marginalized, and challenging wealthy nations to assist migrants and combat climate change.
The formal summary of his papacy, written in Latin and placed beside his body, expressed: “Francis left a magnificent legacy of humanity, holiness, and universal care.”
While he faced resistance from traditionalists aiming to maintain the Church’s secrecy, his calls for peace, unity, and the curtailing of rampant capitalism often went unanswered.
Breaking with Tradition
During his tenure, the pope frequently distanced himself from the grandeur usually associated with the papacy and will reflect this desire for simplicity in his funeral. He revised the elaborate, lengthy rites traditionally employed.
Unlike Pope John Paul II’s three-hour funeral in 2005, Saturday’s service is expected to last only 90 minutes.
Additionally, Pope Francis chose to forgo the historic practice of being buried in three interlocking coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak. Instead, he will be interred in a singular, zinc-lined wooden coffin, sealed overnight.
In an unprecedented move, he will be the first pope in over a century to be buried outside of the Vatican, opting for Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, situated about 2.5 miles from St. Peter’s, as his final resting place.
The grave will be marked simply with “Franciscus,” his name in Latin. A replica of the iron cross he wore is displayed above the marble slab.
The funeral procession will traverse the city, allowing locals to say their goodbyes.
In preparation, Italy has shut down airspace over the city and bolstered security forces, including deploying anti-aircraft missiles and patrol boats, marking one of the largest security operations since John Paul II’s funeral.
Once Francis is laid to rest, attention will shift to his potential successor.
The secretive conclave to elect a new pope is not expected to commence before May 6 and may be delayed further, allowing cardinals time for discussions to evaluate one another and the Church, which is currently grappling with financial challenges and ideological rifts.
As twilight approached, a crowd of Muslims gathered at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to indulge in bowls of aromatic rice porridge known locally as “bubur lambuk”. This dish is a cherished part of Ramadan traditions that have been celebrated for decades.
Prepared in large pots with a variety of spices and stirred with hefty ladles, bubur lambuk is customarily made by volunteers in the mosque’s courtyard. It’s then shared with the community during iftar, the meal that breaks the daily fast in this predominantly Muslim nation.
At Masjid India, a prominent mosque in Kuala Lumpur, the unique broth served has an Indian twist, based on a recipe known as Nombu Kanji, as explained by the mosque’s imam, Muhammad Nasrul Haq Abdul Latif.
“This custom has been handed down through generations since the ’60s and ’70s,” he shared with AFP. “It has become a signature dish. Without Nombu Kanji, it just wouldn’t feel complete.”
Every day, mosque volunteers use 140 kilograms of rice to cook the porridge, which is either served to attendees in bowls or packed into 1,000 large plastic bags for distribution to the public. Each package is sufficient to feed a family of four.
“From our perspective, this initiative makes life easier for locals, including the homeless, those with low incomes, and office workers who sometimes lack the time to prepare their own meals,” he added. “Thus, mosque-provided iftar meals greatly assist in making their daily lives more manageable during Ramadan.”
Local resident Mohaiyadin Sahulhameed, who hails from India, expressed how the porridge reminds him of home. “In my village, we cook using large woks, incorporating curry leaves, mustard seeds, cinnamon, and other ingredients, which is very similar to the method used here. The scent is rich and familiar,” he noted.
The mosque’s cook, Sathakkathullah Hameed, views the daily preparation of porridge as a sacred duty. “During this holy month, I aspire to help others. Allah bestows rewards, mercy, and blessings. With His will, I will be provided for,” he explained. “When people enjoy the porridge I make, they say ‘Bismillah’ (in the name of God), and I respond with ‘Alhamdulillah’ (praise be to God).”
