By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

Personnel from the Qatari Emiri Forces pulled the trigger at exactly 6.30pm, a tradition which is being practised in the country for many years.

“We bring the children here every year so that they could watch and experience the thrill,” said a domestic worker  who was taking care of three young Qatari kids. Their parents were also excited to see the activity, which is  held every day until the last day of Ramadan.

A few minutes before the firing, everyone was given the chance to pose for photographs near the cannon. Besides professional photographers, Europeans and people of other nationalities were also seen taking pictures with their smartphones.

Wearing army uniforms and some unique costumes, many of the children stood through the sunroof of their cars and SUVs as they waited for the big bang. Some stayed inside the vehicles, probably to avoid sweating too much because of the hot weather.

A female expatriate worker said it was the first time she was witnessing the firing of the cannon. Working in Qatar for almost six years, she thought it was a gigantic gong. “For more than five years, I didn’t know it was a real cannon,” she said. “We can hear the sound from our place near Matar Qadeem.”

This year, the firing of the cannon is being held on the ground near the Airport signal, behind Family Food Centre.

Meanwhile, charity organisations hosted Iftars at several locations in Qatar as usual. Thousands of expatriates, most of them single workers, were seen enjoying the wholesome meals provided at these Iftar tents.

The faithful also thronged the mosques for prayers after the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan came to an end yesterday.