Meteorologist Adel Al-Sadoun disclosed in his book Kuwait Elders Encyclopedia that Ali Bin Oqab Al-Khazraji was the first Kuwaiti man who fired the Iftar shell, which he learned that from the Ottomans. During the reign of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, he appointed Bin Oqab to fire the shells to mark Iftar (the moment when the fast ends) and Suhour (the feast to mark the beginning of the fast). During the reign of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, one shell was fired but on certain occasions like Eid, seven shells were fired and 21 shells were fired when some rulers or presidents were visiting Kuwait. The first cannon was presented to Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah by the British government.
Researcher at the popular heritage site Salih Al-Mesbah told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that one of the sweet memories for Kuwaitis during Ramadan has been the gathering of youth and children before sunset to watch the firing. He pointed out that cannon was called "Al-wardah" (the flower) in the Kuwait accent and it was a Ramadan tradition which started in Cairo and spread to other Arab states.
According to Al-Mesbah, the first cannons were brought to Kuwait during the reign of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah in 1907. It was noted by the researcher that it was a present from the Iranian Shah. He said that Kuwaitis used to know the timing of Iftar by hearing the bang of cannon in the thirties of 20th century. The cannon was fired from Seif Palace at that time and it was moved to its current location at Naif Palace in 1953. At the beginning of the sixties of the 20th century, the Kuwaiti army took over the task of firing the Iftar shell. Two cannons were available one was put in Seif Palace and the second in Naif Palace.
He revealed that it is not known when the Islamic states started using the Iftar cannon, but according to historical documents a number of kingdoms used it in Year 859 of the Islamic calendar (1455), while others say it began during the reign of Mohammad Ali, the Albanian ruler of Egypt (1805-1848).
*Via Al-Watan/Social Slave :)