The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), in cooperation with the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF), yesterday (Wednesday, 9th December) hosted a group of senior citizens along with their caretakers from the Family Gathering Center in Dubai, at the Heritage Village nestled within the Global Village.

The initiative comes as part of the social responsibility activities of HHC that aim to make an effective and positive contribution to the community and present targeted initiatives to promote social inclusion, with a particular focus on facilitating the integration into mainstream society of the elderly population who have been instrumental in building the UAE and shaping it into a modern, progressive state.

Commenting on this initiative, Ibrahim Abdul Rahim, Director of Events Department at HHC, said: Through this initiative, we seek to strengthen community bonds and encourage the integration of elderly persons into society. The elderly are the custodians of our traditions and our heritage, and it is essential that we are sensitive to their needs and provide them with the care and support they need at all times. We are very pleased that we could host them at the Heritage Village and were able to put a smile on their faces.

The event kicked off with a tour of the Global Village where the senior citizens were shown around the sprawling cultural entertainment destination on chauffeured golf carts, followed by a traditional Emirati Ayala performance staged in their honour, during which some of the seniors surprised the audience by joining the performance.

They were also given a tour of the various traditional Emirati houses that have been built in the Heritage Village, and were acquainted with the extensive range of attractions hosted at the Village such as the traditional wooden dhow situated at the entrance, which narrates the story of the ancient Emirati tradition of pearl fishing, as well as the falcon corner that offers a peek into the traditions and practices of ancient UAE. At the end of the celebrations, a gala dinner was hosted by HHC in honour of the senior citizens.

Tayeb Abdulrahman Al Rais, Secretary-General of the AMAF, thanked HHC for its support of this initiative. "This initiative is a token of our gratitude and appreciation for senior citizens who helped build our country," he said.

Dr. Salwa Al Suwaidi, Specialist Senior Registrar, Geriatrics, and Director - Family Gathering Director, said: "We are delighted to participate in this initiative that reflects the strategic objectives and vision of the Family Gathering Center. I would like to thank the HHC for hosting this wonderful and effective program in celebration of senior citizens.