SMA honours seniors on International Day for Older Persons

The event aimed to celebrate their valuable contributions to the nation's sustainable development.

The celebration coincided with the announcement by Sharjah Museums Authority of the renewal of certifications for several museums in Sharjah as part of the Emirate’s Age-Friendly initiative. 

Sharjah Aquarium, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation and Sharjah Maritime Museum had the certifications they received in the inaugural cycle in 2020 renewed while more recently, Sharjah Archaeology Museum joined their ranks.

The event witnessed active participation from senior citizens and featured a diverse range of activities and programmes tailored to accommodate their needs and encourage repeat visits to the museums.

These included workshops on traditional arts and crafts, educational sessions on healthy living for seniors, as well as exemptions for individuals aged 60 and above and one companion from ticket fees at SMA’s museums. 

Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority, emphasised that celebrating senior citizens aligns with the Authority’s overarching strategy to elevate their status and honour their achievements. 

“This includes providing a conducive environment for them and expanding social interaction and support for experienced and knowledgeable individuals.”

She stressed the significant importance of integrating senior citizens into social, cultural, and economic life.

The Authority has been offering services and facilities dedicated for senior citizens such as designated parking for wheelchair users with appropriate ramps for entry and exit, as well as dedicated accessible bathrooms, automatic doors at main entrances for ease of access, reception desks with low and high-level counters suitable for wheelchair users.

Additionally it provides wide and suitable pathways with non-slip flooring to ensure ease of movement, appropriate lighting in all halls and facilities, the use of sound amplification devices during guided tours for those with hearing impairments, elevators and staircases with side barriers, fire alarm systems, and emergency exits with suitable ramps, in addition to providing wheelchairs and other services and programmes specifically designed to accommodate their needs and encourage them to revisit museums.

It has also established clear and defined paths for senior citizens and employs experienced personnel to interact with and understand their needs.

Several museums under SMA participated in the International Day for Older Persons including Sharjah Museum for Islamic Civilisation which participated with a special program titled "Elder Citizens, Our Pride and Role Model”. The programme featured events around Emirati proverbs and questions, wood decoration art workshop, and Islamic calligraphy workshop that was held at Al Zubair Farm for the Red Crescent's Social Services Department. 

Several other events by Sharjah Fort Museum, Bait Al Naboodah and Sharjah Maritime Museum included workshops on ornamentation, coffee cup decoration, and decoupage, the bubble ball, Islamic ornamentation art, Talli and bag making arts, heritage trivia, and pointillism art, all held at the Social Services Department.