UAE National Day event brings together senior expats in the country

Dubai - The seniors cut a UAE flag cake, after which they performed the traditional dances with the locals.

About 100 senior expatriates, over the age of 60, marked the UAE National Day enthusiastically as they got together to celebrate the culture of the country they now call home.
Organised by Golden Age Group for the elderly and hosted by Emaar Community Management (ECM), the event was held at The Greens and Views recently and saw a footfall of about 700 people, who joined in to mark the National Day with the seniors.
The group was founded by Pakistani expat Naseem Durrani in 2013. He said he formed the group in their locality as elderly residents often feel lonely and bored. With this group, they could meet every day and chat.
Encouraged by Emaar, their community development company, the group has been given a hall where they meet on a daily basis. The realtor also helps them organise get-togethers, outings and community events.
For the 47th National Day, ECM organised one of the largest get-togethers for the community that showed the vibrant and patriotic side of the elderly expatriates. They not only came dressed in traditional Emirati outfits but also danced with local dance troupes. The event that was held from 5pm to 7pm at the community park  kicked off with the most senior expatriate of the group (about 80 years old) and an Emaar official hoisting the UAE flag as the UAE national anthem played.
The seniors then cut a UAE flag cake, after which they performed the traditional dances with the locals. A delicious spread of Emirati cuisine was also served.
"This is the first time we hosted an event at such a large scale. For us, National Day is like celebrating our landlord's happiness because we are grateful to the UAE for letting us stay in their country just as its own citizens by giving us facilities and discounts that we probably won't get in our own native land. We are grateful to Emaar for taking such good care of seniors," said 75-year-old Durrani.
"An amazing thing about this country is that we get to bond with other nationalities. Although politically, India and Pakistan are considered rivals, we have an amazing mix of Indians, Bangladeshis and I am the only Pakistani in it. We share a special bond - like a family, thanks to the UAE. This country has brought us together, supported us, given us respect and attention. We get red carpet treatment wherever we go - most services are given to us with huge discounts or  even for free. So why will we not celebrate the happiness of this country?".
Tabish Zaidi, who works in the vicinity of the community and witnessed the celebration, said: "I never miss the Golden Age group events because their enthusiasm is infectious. It was a well-organised lively gathering with kids, families and elders completely capturing the spirit of the occasion."
saman@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Dubai