An 11-member board of directors has been elected from 41 founders with Essam Abuzinada as the board’s chairman and Fouad Bougari as his deputy.

Speaking to Arab News after the meeting, Abuzinada said the society was established not only to take care of the old but also to make use of their expertise.

“Considering the elderly as a group of people who always require your assistance is a narrow viewpoint. People should know that these people have got a lot of experience from their work and life, and it is the duty of the public to make use of them for their own benefit,” he said.

He said the founders of the organization feel there needs to be a charity that takes care of the needs of elderly people in the Makkah region. “It will provide them with a comprehensive social care program within their neighborhood, and also arrange for them a comprehensive health-care system,” he added.

Abuzinada disclosed the society’s plan to establish houses for the elderly. “The society will establish and supervise such arrangements in association with the public and private sectors,” he said, adding that the society will assist the elderly in renovating their homes. “We’ll also contribute to setting out a national plan for the elderly,” he said.

He urged the media to highlight the requirements of the elderly and support the campaign to carry out professional programs to exploit their capabilities and expertise and make them happy.

“We’ll also support research programs to find out the requirements of the elderly and make use of their knowledge and expertise. Nobody should think that this group of people is useless,” he said, adding that the society will announce its programs soon.