Precious gift of life perfect end to a month of fasting and giving

Proud parents welcome new lives on a special day.

Baby Kenneth Robinson, weighing 3.19 kilograms, made his entry into the world on Wednesday. Courtesy Natalie Naccache

ABU DHABI // Jawaher Ghawas on Wednesday welcomed the arrival of very a special guest to help her family celebrate the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

Jawaher, 21, and her husband Mubarak welcomed the birth of their first child, Khaled, at 5.57am.

“So many people were telling me we should name him Eid Mubarak,” joked the proud Emirati mother from Abu Dhabi.

“I didn’t know he would be born on Eid. It was a surprise. I am very happy he was born today.”

Khaled, who was delivered by caesarean section and weighed in at 3 kilograms, was one of the first babies to be born in the Corniche Hospital.

Down the hall, Kawthar Afoalla cradled her newborn who has yet to be named. The boy, weighing 3.5kg, was the first to be born this Eid holiday at the UAE’s biggest maternity hospital, arriving almost three and a half hours after the clock struck midnight.

“I am very happy,” said Kawthar, 40.

The Sudanese national said she was waiting for her husband before she decided on a name.

Also born on Wednesday was Kenneth Robinson. At 3.19kg, Kenneth was born 19 months after his elder brother – who came into the world on National Day.

“He should have been born on July 14 but he wanted to be an Eid baby so here he is early,” said his British father, Trevor. “He is following in his brother’s footsteps, they both seemed to want special birthdays.”

By midday on Wednesday nine babies – four boys and five girls – had been born at the maternity ward and more were expected by the end of the day.

To mark Eid, each mother was presented with a handbag and baby clothes.

Dr Fayeza Saif Nasir, the hospital’s deputy chief executive, said having a baby born on Eid was extra special.

“It remains memorable for the rest of their lives – you never forget having a baby born on this day,” said the Emirati, whose daughter was born on Eid Al Fitr 12 years ago.

“After a month of fasting and giving this is such a joyous gift for everyone, the mother and all the family. When they are born on this day, Eid, no one can forget that day.”

Proud parents elsewhere in the emirate were also celebrating their Eid blessings.

Ebaa and Osama Mohammed’s son, Ahmad, was born at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children at 5.50am, weighing 3.3kg.

“The Eid Al Fitr prayers were being called and my son was being born at the same time,” said Mr Mohammed, a Jordanian. “It was very good.”

Dr Gowri Ramanathan, the hospital’s head of obstetrics and gynaecology, said Ahmad was the first baby born on Wednesday at the hospital.

“What makes this even more special for us, is that our 1,000th baby was born on the last day of Ramadan,” Dr Ramanathan said.