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Mother, son reunited but no home to stay

AJMAN - An old woman suffering from an early stage of dementia and currently sheltered at the Ajman Elderly Welfare Home (AEWH) was reunited yesterday with her son who was released from Sharjah Central Jail on Sunday.

The 80-year-old Bangladeshi lady had been found by Ajman Police walking naked along the streets of Al Rashidiya District in Ajman in July. She had left her residence but forgot her way back and was admitted to the home for the elderly.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Leila Al Zarooni, Deputy Director of AEWH, said that the old woman who identified herself as Nour Jihan was living with her son and daughter-in-law in Al Rashidiya. The son, who had been taking care of his mother, had recently been released from jail after he completed his prison term.

Ms Al Zarooni said although the elderly home policy doesn’t allow the admission of expatriates, the administration received her and provided her with shelter and food.

“The woman was in our custody till she was reunited with her son. The latter promised to take her this week after he arranges their accommodation. She will be with us till her son finds a solution to his job and accommodation problems,” she added.

Ms Al Zarooni pointed out that the administration was in continuous contact with the jail administration to enquire about the son’s situation on when he is due to be released. “The jail officials allowed us to talk to him regarding his mother’s difficult condition,” she said.

Abdul Al Mannan Abdul Rawuf, Nour Jihan’s son said that he had been taking care of his mother for the past 20 years, particularly after she was mentally disturbed following the death of her 11 sons due to congenital diseases.

He added that his mother left the home the same day he went to jail. At that time, Mr Abdul Rawuf’s wife, who was looking after her mother-in-law, was admitted to the hospital to give birth to their third child.

Mr Abdul Rawuf was jailed because he failed to pay his loan from a creditor who refused to give him a chance to settle his debt. “The amount borrowed was proven with a note, signed by me, agreeing to repay the principal amount borrowed plus interest within four months,”Abdul Rawuf said.

He added: “I used to work as public relations officer in a real estate company in Ajman which was paying me sufficient enough to fulfil my family’s financial needs. I was not deported to Bangladesh because I was born in the UAE and I can’t even speak Bengali. My parents came to the UAE in 1948 and they resided here till my father died. I don’t know any of my relatives or friends of my parents in Bangladesh. The AEWH is pressurising me to take my mother within two days, but I don’t have any money and shelter.

“Since I was released from prison, I am staying in a mosque and searching for a job to take care of my mother. I have, after a long search, found a house, but its owner is demanding Dh2,500 in advance payment. Unfortunately, I can’t afford such an amount as I’m unemployed. I feel completely lost because I don’t know what to do to solve my mother’s problem.

“My wife, who was thrown out from her house for not paying the rent, is living with her father in Ajman. They are not willing to keep my mother in their home.”

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