Recently I had the privilege to work with two community groups in Halifax and Batley. I was there to teach calligraphy, expecting the groups to learn something about calligraphy both Islamic and English and to expose them to a little of Islamic art, but I came away with a new knowledge of my own, and was left profoundly humbled by the experience.

The group in Halifax were mainly non-Muslim ladies, part of the over 40’s Square Circle art group, attending the Square Chapel Arts centre. What I found amazing was the fact that these mature ladies had come to this centre to learn how to do oil painting, tapestry and Islamic art and calligraphy with all the enthusiasm, zest for life and curiosity of somebody much younger.

Some of them had seen so much in life and yet were not prepared to let themselves sit around and do nothing. In contrast, I learnt a different lesson at the Batley group.

These art classes were for the Milun centre, which is an Asian Elders day centre. The elders were predominantly from a Muslim background, and I was saddened to hear from the centre’s manager, Shahid that one of the main reasons for the centre being set up was because the elders in the community were being left on their own, a reflection of how the extended family network, of which we were all so proud of, is disintegrating.

There were some cases that he had come across where the elders were actually being put in old peoples homes, and the situation was going to get worse if we did not tackle it now.

He said, “One of the reasons for elders being left ‘home alone’ was because their children were having to go further and further a field for work among other reasons.”

It was joy to watch some women who had never written a word in their life writing the alphabet and writing their names. I have realised that the dynamics of our family and community networks are changing drastically, and we have to find ways of not letting our elders fall by the wayside, neglected and unloved.

As human beings we should never stop seeking knowledge, never waste time and be as active as possible. Otherwise we will, as a community stagnate, and we have had far too rich a history to end up like that.

Fauzia Khan is a peace artist and calligrapher. She is available for workshops and exhibitions and work on commissions. Please email Islamic Times for further details.