New generation of dads: We never celebrated father's day like this

Dubai - Expats discuss the holiday and reminisce about their childhood.

Thursday, June 21 marks UAE's Father's Day, where Emirati men across the country will be showered with extra love and affection from their children.
But for many dads today, it's something they never celebrated as children.
Speaking to fathers from several different nationalities, all agreed that 'fatherhood' is a term that should be revered.
But when they were youngsters themselves, a day to outwardly express their love for their father just wasn't a concept.
Despite that though, Moroccan expatriate, Nasir Hussain, said he learnt a lot from his dad.
"He taught me to respect and love others. He was a great father but we never really had day's like this to thank him for raising us. It just wasn't a thing back then."
Now, as a father to 7-year-old Rashid and 5-year-old Areej, Hussain said it feels special to have a day dedicated to the love he has for his kids, and vice-versa.
"I live for my children, everything I do is for them. We are living for them."
Like Hussain, father-of-two Mohammed Salama never got the chance to devote a day solely focused on his father.
"When I was younger, I never celebrated this day with him. We always celebrated Mother's Day, just not Father's Day. Honestly, looking back, I couldn't tell you why that is."
Visiting Dubai from Saudi Arabia specifically to mark the occasion, Salama said being a father is actually very difficult.
"A father has to be very caring, very understanding, but always guide his child or children to learn and be on the right path. It is actually the most difficult job any man will ever have."
Planning to celebrate Thursday by making and eating cakes with his two boys; 9-year-old Mushri and 4-year-old Sultan, he said when you become a father, you become a team.
"It's no longer about you. You are not an individual, you are a team. You spend all your time with your children and if you're not with them, you are thinking about them."
Originally from Pakistan but visiting Dubai for a few days with his family, Zeeshan Lodhi said what better way to celebrate a day dedicated to fathers than by being with his kids.
"I am very happy because I am a family man and I love to be out and about with my children."
As a young boy, Lodi said he had immense respect for his own father, but he never expressed it to him through gifts or cards like many children do today, on Father's Day.
"It just wasn't something we did. It wasn't a popular celebration at that time. But I showed him my appreciation in other ways, like working hard at school and doing things when he asked me too."
As a father to three; 12-year-old Waiza, 9-year-old Zimal and 6-year-old Muhammad, Lodhi said days like today teach children one thing.
"You only get one father, so treat him with respect and love him as much as he loves you."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai