JOHANNESBURG – Mutwalib Peterson, a 66-year Muslim, misses the family spirit that characterizes the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

“I feel very lonely this Ramadan, which used to be normally a season of happiness and family unity for me,” Peterson told IslamOnline.net.
Originally from the city of Kimberly, he came to Johannesburg to live with his step son after the death of his wife.
“I lived happily with my step son at his home in Brixton until his wife started taking my social grant money and use it for her own needs.”
When he started asking about his money, Peterson was thrown out of the house, even without his clothing.
“I could not believe that my once innocent step son, whom I had raised and educated had turned into monster with no respect for me,” said the heartbroken elder.
Peterson now leaves illegally in an unoccupied filthy house that is soon to be demolished by its owners.
But he still misses his hardhearted relatives.
“I greatly miss my step son, cousins and other relatives who have abandoned me because of my age.”
According to the 2001 census, there are 3.2 million elderly people in South Africa.
Muhammad, who takes shelter in Beit-ul-Aman home for the aged in Cape Town, is one of them.
“I feel very lonely when I remember how I was neglected by my relatives,” he told IOL.
“But Alhamdulillah, I have learnt to live this new life of separation with my fellow elders here at the home.”
Ramadan blessing
“Too many older persons continue to live in poverty, face negative perceptions about ageing, continue to be victimized by merciless criminal elements and worst of all, exploitation and abuse, sometimes by their very own family members.”
He laments that the Muslim values of community collectiveness and caring for the aged are becoming a thing of the past.
“Our communities today look at only themselves and their families, instead of helping their aging grandfathers, uncles and aunties, whom they abandon.”
Beit-ul-Aman, founded in 1979, serves over 70 Muslim elders abandoned by their relatives and families.
It tries to help those elders who have decided to observe the Ramadan fast.
“We give special iftar and suhur for several of our fasting residents.”
In Johannesburg, Peterson is also touched by the spirit of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar which started on Saturday, August 22.
“I sometimes used to go for days without food,” he recalls.
“But thanks to the holy month of Ramadan, my Muslim brothers and sisters are giving me lots of food parcels.”
Most Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through good deeds, particularly charity.
Ramadan is also soothing Peterson’s worst nightmare of ending up a homeless in his old age.
Ulema in Johannesburg offered to give him temporary accommodation as he a waits to be taken into an elders’ home.
“I am getting the food parcels and now I have been promised accommodation.” (Source: islamonline.net