Eid Al Fitr in UAE: Meet the babies born on first day of Shawwal

'What an auspicious day to welcome newborns on the day of Eid'

Emirati national Sultan Shail was delighted as baby girl Noura Sultan was born at 12.20 am on the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

Noura, the second child of Shail, was delivered at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah. Noura’s now three-year-old sister Naeema was also born in the same hospital.

“So blessed to be part of this auspicious occasion. My patients are like my family, and it brings me joy to see them healthy and safe. The baby girl, Noura Sultan, is the first baby to be born on Eid in our hospital. She is doing well and so is her mother. I pray that Allah blesses the family, and Eid Mubarak to everyone,” said Dr Rabab Mehdi Hilmy, consultant, obstetrics, and gynaecologist.

Baby Noura weighed 2.9kg and was delivered through a Caesarean. The newborn's excited father, Shail, said that the hospital was his first choice for all healthcare needs. “We are happy with Dr Rabab and her team. We trust her and are very happy to share our joy with the rest of the world on Eid. May Allah bless us all.”.

Baby boy Yousuf, weighing 3.06kg, was born at 2.03am, in the same hospital.

The Iraqi parents, who are new to the UAE, chose the NMC hospital after due diligence.

The mother, Shadan Waleed Alhishma, is a pharmacist, while Dr Mustafa Mohamed Alobaidi is an orthopaedic surgeon

“We have been in the UAE for just four months. It was a huge task for us to decide on the doctor and the hospital for my wife’s second delivery. We did a lot of research to pick the right place. Our choice was clear with the positive feedback we received. Dr Rabab Hilmy and NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah topped our list. All our initial anxiety disappeared when we met Dr Rabab. She assured us that we had nothing to worry about. The service has been fantastic. Holding our son in our arms, our family looks complete. This Eid is truly special and unforgettable,” the parents said.

Yousuf is the second child in the family after his now three-year-old sister Sama being born in Jordan.

“What a wonderful auspicious moment to bring in their second born on the day of Eid. The mother and child are doing okay. I wish them all the joy and good health,” Dr Hilmy added.

Meanwhile, there were anxious scenes at Al Ain's NMC Speciality Hospital after Emirati mother Mariam Abdullah was admitted to the hospital at 3.41am -- delivering her baby in the next half-an-hour.

“The patient was a high-risk case. She was admitted on May 2 at 3:41am. She delivered a female baby at 4:10am weighing 2.8kg. Mother and baby are fine. This baby is their fifth child,” said Dr Purnima Thakur, administrative in-charge, maternal and child services and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist.

“We are extremely satisfied with the care and level of trust of Dr Thakur and the professionalism of the whole team at the hospital,” Emirati couple Abdulla Husain and Mariam added.

In Dubai, baby Delfin Jake IV P.Guillergan was born at 12.27 after midnight in Prime Hospital, weighing 2.14kg. Filipino couple Marie Kristine Santo and Delfin Hugo III C.Guillergan felt blessed to have a baby boy on this day. “It is indeed special for everyone because of Eid. We are grateful.”

Dr Zobaida Saloum, specialist obstetrics and gynaecologist, who delivered the baby and was assisted by Dr Shizra Shahnawaz, noted: “It is a good feeling to have a baby born on the first day of Eid.”

At Abu Dhabi’s Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children, there were three newborns, including two girls and one boy during the early hours of Eid Al Fitr.

The first family to celebrate their newborn was the Emirati AlHassan Al Kindi family. Newborn girl Noura, weighing 2.79kg, was born at 3:48am.

Her father said: “She is our second daughter, and we are grateful that she came to celebrate Eid with us. Eid Mubarak.”

Hamda, the second newborn, was delivered at 5:23am for the family of Khalfan Al Suwaidi.

Her father said: “The birth of our daughter on the first day of Eid was a wonderful gift to us.”

Obaid, an Emirati baby boy, weighing 3.53kg was born to Saif Obaid Alzaabi, at 5:50am.

The father said: “His siblings were eagerly awaiting his arrival. We thank God that he and his mother are in good health. Our joy is doubled on this blessed day.”

All the parents acknowledged the hospital staff for their outstanding care.

Hospital CEO Dr Mohaymen Abdelghany said: “Our team of obstetricians, paediatricians, neonatologists, midwives, and nurses continue to provide unparalleled care to many families and their newborns.”

In Ajman’s Thumbay University Hospital, a boy weighing 4kgs was born to Palestinian couple Baraa TS Abushaban and Mohammed TS Abushaban at 3:57am.

The baby’s father Mohammed, who works as a pharmacist, said: “The baby was due a week earlier, but with Allah’s will he was born on the first day of Eid. He’s truly a gift from Allah to us. The medical team and staff at Thumbay University Hospital have taken excellent care of the mother and the baby, and I am thankful for their support.”

Dr Amal Hassan Abddelaziz, head of obstetrics and gynaecology department, added: “Baraa came to emergency with strong labour pain around midnight. We had to rush her to the labour room and assist her in the delivery, and what a relief it was to hear her baby’s strong first cry around 4am. By God’s grace, both the baby and mother are doing well.”