MLSD celebrates National Day with elderly citizens
10-12-2019
As part of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national‑day celebrations—commemorating the establishment of the Bahraini state under the founder Ahmed Al‑Fateh as an Arab and Muslim country in 1783 AD, the anniversary of its accession to the United Nations as a full member state, and the anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne—and under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the National Committee for the Elderly, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, in cooperation with the UCO Elderly Care, one of the clubs affiliated with the Ministry for the care of senior citizens, organised a celebration on Wednesday at the Mövenpick Hotel. The celebration featured segments from the Kingdom of Bahrain’s popular heritage with the aim of involving senior citizens in national occasions and integrating them into social and cultural programmes, given the positive impact on morale and the joy such participation brings to this important segment of society. Participants expressed their delight by raising the national flag and singing national and traditional anthems. On this occasion, Humaidan affirmed that participation in national celebrations reflects the loyalty of all people to the leader of the march, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country's great king, may God protect and preserve him, and to the esteemed Government, and it embodies a profound sense of belonging to the homeland. He noted that engaging senior citizens in national events comes within the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s efforts to enhance community awareness of the rights of this noble group, to care for them, and to share with them national celebrations and various occasions. The Kingdom of Bahrain’s experience is pioneering in caring for senior citizens through the establishment of day care centres and clubs. This reflects the cultural renaissance Bahrain is witnessing, particularly with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s continued commitment to developing appropriate rehabilitation programmes for senior citizens, benefiting from their expertise and capabilities, and integrating them into society by increasing the number of parents’ care clubs and centres operated by civil society organisations, within the framework of effective community partnership.