“Celebrating Eid with you” receives Eid well-wishers

An open invitation

The home, which operates under the Sharjah Social Services Department, will welcome visitors across two daily sessions throughout the Eid period. The morning slot runs from 10 a.m. until noon, while the evening session opens from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.—an arrangement designed to give as many people as possible the chance to take part regardless of their schedules.

This is not simply a drop-in visit. The programme offers entertainment activities, friendly competitions and a range of social events in a festive atmosphere that truly reflects the warmth and spirit of Eid.

More than a celebration

For the residents of the home, a visit from a community member holds a significance that transcends the occasion itself. Maryam Al Qatari, Director of the Sharjah Elderly Care Home, put it plainly: for older people who live away from their families, sitting with visitors during Eid is not a luxury — it is a profound source of comfort and human connection.

The 'Our Eid With You' celebration falls under the umbrella of social solidarity,” she explained, “and it is an event we are committed to organising every year, precisely because of the difference it makes to our residents. The community's presence, as they sit with them and share in the joy of the occasion, is immensely significant.

Bringing the whole family together

This year, the home has made further progress. Al Qatari confirmed that all three care facilities under the Sharjah Social Services Department have been invited to join in the festivities—bringing children and elderly residents together under the same roof for the holiday.

Folk arts groups will also perform traditional cultural shows throughout the event, adding a heritage dimension to the celebration and bringing a particular kind of joy that resonates deeply with older generations.

Eid gifts will be distributed to the children attending from the department's other care facilities: Family Forum, Dar Al Aman, and the Social Care Home for Children. Outdoor trips are also being arranged for children affiliated with the home — a reminder that Eid, at its core, is about togetherness across every age group.

A tradition taking root

Now in its second consecutive year, "Celebrating Eid with you" has grown from a single gesture of goodwill into something more enduring. Al Qatari described it as a grassroots volunteering opportunity — one that encourages real, face-to-face engagement with elderly residents rather than distant, well-intentioned support that often misses those in greatest need.

"We want to build genuine connections," she said, "and to show our residents that they are still very much a part of this community — seen, valued, and remembered, especially on days like these."