“Khattar Al Dar” promotes community integration during Ramadan

Khattar Al Dar” enhances the community integration as it brings together the elderly with friends and family at the Iftar table, and allows them to perform prayers, especially Tarawih in the Elderly Care Home Mosque located in the outer courtyard of the home, which was built by order of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, so that the elderly do not have to go through the hassle of moving outside the house to pray, especially since most of them use wheelchairs.

“Khattar Al Dar” is an Emirati popular expression that means visitors or guests of the home, which SSSD launched in 2016 as a public volunteer opportunity open to everyone and all age groups, and comes within the framework of enhancing community cohesion and providing happiness and joy to the elderly residents of the home, who gather with the guests. It is also an opportunity to socialise in the holy month.

Maryam Al Qatari, director of the Elderly Care Home, said that registration in the “Khattar Al Dar” community initiative began before the holy month, as many parties registered on the platform, and thus the guests will participate from the first day and continue until the end.

Al Qatari stressed that there are no conditions for the visit, but those wishing to participate in “Khattar Al Dar” must register for the volunteer opportunity on the platform of the Sharjah Voluntary Work Centre of SSSD, from community members to participate with parents in the group Iftar organised daily at the home’s headquarters, in addition to entities and individuals wishing to join. SSSD branches and departments also participate in Iftar with senior citizens according to an organisational programme for participation.

Al Qatari said, there are many programs and events organized during the holy month of Ramadan, in addition to “Khattar Al Dar”. She added an agreement was made with the Department of Islamic Affairs in Sharjah to provide lectures to the residents of the home, whereas residents also distribute meals to passersby during Iftar time for the workers, with the support of Sharjah Policemen. Zayed Day will be commemorated on the 26th of Ramadan, which is the anniversary of the death of the late humanitarian Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy on him, by equipping the house with the Quran and supplications to commemorate his memory that is dear to their hearts.