Over the three days of the blessed Eid Al-Fitr, the Elderly Care Home affiliated with the Sharjah Social Services Department welcomed visitors who wished to greet the senior residents and celebrate Eid with them. The initiative aimed to bring joy to their hearts, share the happiness of the occasion, present gifts, and participate in the festive program prepared by the home’s management.

Maryam Al Qatari, Director of the Home, explained that the “Eid with Them” initiative is a volunteer opportunity launched five years ago. It aims to bring happiness to senior citizens and strengthen their integration with members of the community and its institutions. This, in turn, has a positive impact on their psychological well-being, as they show great happiness during these visits and social interactions.

She added that the activities are held daily from the morning until 12:00 noon, beginning with the Eid prayer at the home building, which is fully decorated to celebrate the occasion. The atmosphere helps spread love and reinforces values of solidarity and cohesion between seniors and their surrounding community.

She noted that more than six entities participated in the celebration, including the Community Police of Sharjah Police General Headquarters, in addition to folk arts groups that present traditional performances and popular songs. These performances are well received by the seniors, as they revive beautiful memories of the past.

Families and volunteer teams from the Sharjah Volunteer Center also participate, helping to strengthen social bonds by visiting seniors, spending time with them, offering various social programs, and congratulating them on Eid Al-Fitr.

Participation also includes external entities and members from care and protection homes affiliated with the department, which provide services for children, seniors, abused women, people with disabilities, and individuals with mental health conditions, in addition to staff members who wish to take part.

Al Qatari further explained, in her capacity as Director of the Care and Protection Sector and Director of the Elderly Care Home, that “Eid with Them” represents a field volunteer opportunity that allows individuals and institutions to directly engage with senior residents during the days of Eid. This is done through various programs, including poetry sessions, health awareness activities, cultural and heritage competitions, learning simple crafts, as well as discussion sessions and short story readings.

In conclusion, she stated that seniors are prepared for Eid celebrations by providing them with new clothes, perfumes, and gifts, in addition to giving them “Eidiya” (Eid cash gifts), which they in turn give to children—creating a scene that reflects the spirit of generosity, compassion, and connection between generations.