Double joy for parents as newborns arrive on auspicious day
Parents celebrated a double blessing early yesterday, as the first babies arrived in the UAE on Eid Al Fitr, minutes after midnight.
At 12.20am, baby girl Noura was among the first to be welcomed into the world by Emirati parents.
The family, who already have daughter Naeema, 3, said they were delighted to share their joy with the rest of the world on Eid.
“May Allah keep his blessings on us all,” said her father, Sultan Shail.
The doctor who delivered Noura – who weighed 2.9 kilograms – by Caesarean section, said she felt blessed to be part of the auspiciously timed event.
“My patients are like my family and it brings me joy to see them healthy and safe,” said Dr Rabab Hilmy, consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah.
“The baby girl, Noura Sultan, is the first baby of Eid in our hospital.
“She is doing well and so is her mother. I wish the family the blessings of Allah, and Eid Mubarak to everyone.”
Almost two hours later, at 2.03am, Dr Hilmy oversaw the delivery of a second child, Yousuf, to an Iraqi family who came to the UAE four months ago.
The parents, Shadan Alhishma, a pharmacist, and Dr Mustafa Alobaidi, an orthopaedic surgeon, already have a daughter, Sama, 3, who was born in Jordan. “We are elated with the choice we made. The service has been fantastic. The staff have been professional, friendly and we know we are in safe hands,” Dr Alobaidi said.
In Abu Dhabi, baby Dhalia was born to Sudanese couple Lubna Abdurabo and Missara Mohammed at NMC Specialty Hospital Abu Dhabi at 5.57am, weighing 3.1kg. She is their third child. “We are very happy that our third child is born in time of the celebration of the Eid Al Fitr,” Mr Mohammed said.
“It is a truly a blessing. I would like to thank NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi – especially the doctors and staff for their excellent service and taking good care of my wife and child.”
Michael Davis, the chief executive of NMC Health, said the birth of a child was always a reason to celebrate, but when it coincides with an occasion such as Eid Al Fitr, “happiness knows no bounds”.
“We pray the babies continue to bring joy and remain a blessing for their families for ever.”
At Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, the first baby born on Eid was welcomed only seconds after midnight.
Shahmeer was born to a Pakistani couple, Saba Irfan and Irfan Khan, weighing 2.7kg. He is their third child.
“We are thrilled to welcome our newest family member,” said Mr Khan. “His arrival has doubled the joy we feel on this auspicious day.”
At a minute past midnight, doctors at Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi delivered 3.6kg Ayla to Egyptian couple Amira Magdy and Khaled Fahmy.
“Ayla is our third child. This pregnancy was a surprise for us,” Ms Magdy said.
“Now, Ayla surprised us again by coming to us as the most precious gift from above on this blessed day.
“We are thrilled to finally hold our angel in our arms.”