Saleh Abdul Rasool Al Shawab gets a kiss from granddaughter Hesa during a get-together of the elderly at a farm in Dubai. ©Gulf News |
The Al Shawab family in Dubai have opened their farm in Hatta for the elderly as a gesture of family goodness. It is also to give the elderly people the respect they deserve and to remind the younger generation of family values.
The decision of the Al Shawab family was sparked by a shocking incident recently in which an elderly woman was dumped at a roadside by her own son and left to die. Families throughout the UAE had expressed outrage at the callous attitude of the man involved.
Hussain Saleh Al Shawab said: "This tragedy reflects the changing attitude towards the elderly in the UAE. They are no longer treated with respect. The reason why young people can leave their parents to die like insects, or do not understand their feelings is because they have had no moral education.
"We decided to open our farm in Hatta to the elderly so that they can come and spend a relaxing day there."
The Al Shawab family have been proactive, inviting senior citizens to the farm. Around 16 elderly people, men and women, enjoyed a day of singing, dancing and feasting at the farm. They reminisced about the time when society was more integrated, when bonds were so much stronger.
Saleh Al Shawab, the head of the family, who is in his 80s, said: "My dream was always to have a big family and live in one home together. My dream came true when this farm was built where the entire family of around 50 members meets twice a week."
He added: "President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former Ruler of Dubai, dreamt of a unified country, which would be one big family. We will try to integrate people through our farm, but I also call upon other families to open their farms to senior citizens and give them the love and care they deserve."
One elderly man said: "The day brought back wonderful memories. The event relieved our feelings of loneliness, because at the old people's home we have become virtual outcasts of society, many living on the fringe."
Salim Mubarak, who is in his 60s, said: "Life is upside down nowadays. Daughters-in-law are tough-talking and elderly fathers and mothers just sit around in the shadows and complain to sons who turn a deaf ear."
Ahmed Al Shawab said: "Our gesture is also meant to make the young feel a moral obligation to look after their parents. This should not be prompted by other factors such as a perceived humiliation in society if they pack their old parents off to a nursing home."
The Al Shawab family plans to open their farm to people with special needs who similarly are in need of care, love and affection. People aged 60 years and above account for two per cent of the UAE's population, or more than 80,000. About 48,000 are UAE nationals and 32,000 are expatriates.
Twenty-nine per cent of UAE senior citizens live in Abu Dhabi, followed by Dubai with 22 per cent, Sharjah with 21 per cent, Ras Al Khaimah 15 per cent, Fujairah six per cent, Ajman five per cent and Umm Al Quwain three per cent.
