Muslims are welcoming the holy month of Ramadan—the most sacred time of the year in Islamic culture. Observed worldwide as a month of fasting and prayer, Ramadan has also been marked for centuries by a unique set of traditions that reflect the spirit of solidarity among people in the Islamic world. 

From the booming cannons that hail the breaking of the fast to festive lantern-lit evenings, here are a few cherished Ramadan rituals. 

The end of the day’s fast—as well the initial start of Ramadan—is hailed with a boom. Antique cannons fired by police mark iftar, or breaking the fast, at sunset. 

Conflicting accounts detail the origin of this Ramadan ritual, though all point to