Can’t understand the cruelty!
It was hard for me to even sit and comment after reading the article and watching the video (‘Minister denounces abuse of elderly after video shows sponsor attacked by helper’, April 24). Usually, I do not post online comments but this is the first kind of news that I read, which literally made me break into tears. I do not understand the cruelty. Neither do I believe there are any excuses for what the helper has done. Even if he was not satisfied with his job, there are other ways to deal with it. Staying at this family’s house meant that there was still something holding him there. I know many think it’s the family’s fault and I might agree to a certain extent, but in all fairness, the family cannot literally be around their grandfather at all times. After this unpleasant incident, I am sure they will be much more cautious and spend more time with their grandfather. It’s not just about Islam, in all religions, the elderly must be treated with utmost love, care and appreciation.
From Ms Dalia Al Moghazy
Dubai
Take action
People should think a thousand times before leaving their parents under the mercy of domestic workers after witnessing such a dreadful scene. Authorities should take it very seriously, to set an example to deal with such anti-social behaviour.
From Mr Mohan Kumar
Dubai
Shocking video
This is the most shocking video that I’ve seen. All children are responsible for their parents. The helper should be punished, so that it becomes an example
From Mr Mohammad Lokman
Dibba
Punishment needed
The worker should be punished. There is no excuse for him to defend his cruelty toward the aged. But, also kindly think why we are not able to look after our parents by ourselves instead of arranging for paid employees. It is our duty to take care of them. In their good times, they lived for us. Will we be happy if our sons or daughters arrange for paid workers to look after us in our old age? If you employed paid workers for your parents now, your small son will learn from this.
From Mr Shahid
Dubai
Website comment
No excuse
I think this needs to be seriously addressed and authorities should take such action that it sets an example of how such people would be dealt with. There should not be any excuse. I am sure the poor old man has gone through a terrible mental situation. May Allah be with him and with his family.
From Mr Yousuf
Dubai
Website comment
Patience
Sadly, abuse happens in all countries. Judge the person not the people! The UAE is a diverse and tolerant country, let’s not see that spoiled. What is needed is support for this elderly man and his family, so that they can provide the caring environment that he deserves. The carer must be investigated, for his actions are wrong. However, before we judge him, let’s understand what caused him to behave in this manner. I suggest patience, forbearance and forgiveness.
From Ms Faye Ratcliffe
UK
Facebook comment
Due process of law
Let the law of the land rule on this case. And, yes, focus on the crime committed instead of stereotyping! Why give much importance to where the helper is from? It doesn’t make sense in pointing a finger at who is to be blamed, such as blaming the wife who has no time for her husband, blaming the children for allowing a helper to take care of their father and so on. A crime took place and for that the due process of law will be carried out.
From Mr Ching Domen
Muscat, Oman
Facebook comment
How was it allowed?
I cannot even begin to express how deeply sad this makes me feel! This old man was once a strong husband of a wife he protected, a father to children who he worked very hard to raise. Why is he being left by his children with this coward, to be abused and treated like an animal? Where are his children? How could they leave their own father in the hands of a stranger? If they were so occupied by life then how could they not take precautions from the very beginning, instead of allowing someone to practise such cruelty on their own father? What you sow, so shall you reap. As for the servant, I hope that he is given maximum punishment!
From Ms Hashemi
Dubai
Website comment
True wealth
A very sad and disturbing incident. I can’t even bear to see the picture of a helpless 80-year-old beaten up by a servant, who is paid to take care of him. But then if we leave our elders at the mercy of servants and are busy with our day to day life, then we must also complain less. I feel a person is rich only if he has enough time for his parents to take care of them to keep them happy and healthy. And a person is very poor even if he has millions but no time for his parents. Why do we forget that even we will be that age some day!
From Mr Shahid Quraishi
Ajman
Give time
Children must dedicate some time to their elderly parents. Just employing a caretaker is not the solution. We have to understand that an outsider cannot to be an alternative for a family member. From Mr Lal
Ras Al Khaimah
Website comment
An honour
Shame on the helper! Elders must be treated with affection whether they are related to you or not. But I wonder what is with this ‘helper’ thing? Why can’t the family members take care of their elders on their own? Caring for one’s parents in Islam is considered an honour and a blessing.
From Mr Majid H. Baluch
Dubai
Take responsibility
This is very sad and at the same time highlighting the younger generation’s responsibility, which is not only providing the helpers but also to have a close look at their parents themselves. I am also happy to see that the nationality of the helper is not mentioned in the news report. I hope that Gulf News maintains this, as an individual’s act does not represent a nation.
From Mr Zaman
Dubai
Good memories till the end
This is why I don’t trust anybody else to look after my parents when they get old. I want to do it myself, to make sure nobody harms them, like they protected me when I was a child. All parents deserve to be loved and cared for by their children. Their life is too precious while waiting for the light of the candle to fade, so that when the moment comes for them to close their eyes, they have the best memories.
From Ms Katjez Cordova
UAE
Facebook comment
We need to step up
I am so sorry for the elderly man. May Allah bless him. All of us are keen to punish the helper but no one takes a moment to analyse what the circumstances are. Also the children of elderly people should attend to their parents as much as possible rather than keeping them with helpers in some part of the house. The elderly are like babies, who might annoy the helper to an extent that he can’t bear it. We as parents are the best to take care of our own children, likewise we have a huge responsibility to take care of our elderly, the same as what we do for our own children.
From Ms Alam
Dubai
Website comment
Money can’t buy love
I think it’s a lesson for everybody that money is nothing. You can’t buy love, care or respect with money. The son of the old man thinks that he is providing a full time servant to his father, but he forgets that the servant can’t give respect, love or care, and doesn’t feel anything for the old man.
From Mr Imran Malik
Doha, Qatar
Facebook comment
Timely intervention
May God bless the old man and make the helper understand what he has done. What difference does it make what nationality he is? What he has done is inhumane, irrespective of where he is from. I am happy that this was discovered in time. May God bless the elderly and those taking care of them.
From Ms Aisha
Dubai
Website comment
Don’t depend on others
May God guide us all. The helper should be punished in such a way that he should repent his whole life for being inhuman. First of all my request to everyone is to not depend on maids and male helpers to look after your children and the elderly. They are a part of ourselves. How can you just depend on others and leave them to suffer? Please, may God give us the strength to look after our children and the elderly by ourselves.
From Mr Fazal Mubin
Dubai
Editor’s note: What is your opinion on this issue? How best do you think we can take care of the elderly in society? Share your views on readers@gulfnews.com. You can post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders
