October 1 marked the International Day of Older Persons, a day established by the United Nations to recognise the contributions of older people and highlight the opportunities and challenges that accompany ageing.

Age should be honoured and this is why International Seniors Day matters.

Growing older is something we often celebrate in words, yet society does not always demonstrate the respect and consideration that older people deserve.

Seniors are parents, grandparents, teachers, carers, professionals, community leaders and repositories of experience. They have contributed decades of knowledge, labour, love and service to their families and communities. Their value does not diminish as they grow older.

The day invites us to consider not simply how we care for older people, but how we see them. Are they included? Are their voices heard? Do we make room for their wisdom, humour and experience?

Growing old is a privilege that many of us won’t get. Yet we need to be aware that age and time have a remarkable way of creeping up on us. Trust me! It can happen in what feels like the blink of an eye.

It seems like only yesterday that I was 16, eagerly anticipating receiving my Mobylette. Now, in what feels like an instant, I’m thinking about choosing a mobility scooter! Where did all those years go?

That is why we should think carefully about how we would like to be treated when we reach old age — and begin treating the seniors in our lives that way today.

For Muslims, this responsibility is deeply rooted in the Koran with a blueprint and guidance on how we are to honour and respect our elders. Allah commands us to honour our parents, particularly when they reach old age:

“If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them even ‘uff’, nor yell at them. Rather, address them in a noble way. And be humble with them out of mercy, and pray: ‘My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was young.’” (Koran, 17:23-24)

The message is striking: old age should evoke patience, humility, tenderness and gratitude — not irritation, dismissal or neglect.

Our Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) reinforced this principle, saying: “He is not one of us who does not have mercy on our young and does not respect our elders.” (Jami at-Tirmidhi 1920)

Respect for older people, therefore, is not simply good manners. It is an expression of compassion and character.

The Koran also reminds us that ageing is part of the human journey. Allah describes how He creates us in weakness, gives us strength, and then returns us to weakness and old age (30:54).

Growing older is therefore not something to be ashamed of or hidden away. It is a stage of life deserving dignity, patience and care.

If only I could have my grandparents with me again, I would treasure them like precious gold. I would spend more time with them. I would ask more questions about their lives — their childhoods, their struggles, their joys and their dreams. Most of all, I would make sure they knew how much I loved them.

We cannot turn back the clock. But we can change what we do now.

Age Concern is taking a positive step by building on its pilot project, which brought older people and schoolchildren together to share memories, interests, stories and humour.

Such intergenerational initiatives are about more than simply bringing different age groups together; they create opportunities for young people to learn from the experiences of those who came before them, while enabling older people to feel heard, valued and connected.

By creating these meaningful connections, we can help bridge the generations and ensure that age becomes a source of connection rather than division.

However, we should not leave this responsibility to organisations alone. We ourselves must take the initiative and responsibility.

I implore you to call your elderly parent. Visit a neighbour. Sit with a senior relative. Ask about their life and actually listen — engage with them and make them feel you care. Invite an older person into the conversation rather than talking around them. Give them your time, your patience and your attention.

Because one day, if Allah grants us life, we will be the older generation and when that day comes, may we find a society that remembers what we did for our elders — and chooses to do the same for us.

Perhaps there is no more beautiful way to think about ageing than the ancient words: “Grey hair is a crown of glory.” (Proverbs 16:31)

So let us not hide the grey hairs, dismiss the wrinkles or overlook the slower steps. Behind every line on an older face may be a lifetime of stories, sacrifice, love, laughter, loss, resilience and wisdom.

Honour older people today. Listen to them. Learn from them. Include them. Love them while you still have them.

Because old age is not simply a destination we should prepare for — it is a privilege many of us hope to reach.

And if we are blessed to reach it, may our grey hairs be not only a crown upon our heads, but a reminder of lives well lived, people well loved and generations connected by compassion.

May the upcoming week be one of including the senior in your life over a conversation, cookies and a cuppa! You'll be glad you did!

Bermuda, let our slogan be: “Every day let us love, appreciate, care for and include our seniors into the fabric of our lives.”

As salaam alaikum (peace be into you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam