Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah: As the UAE ushered in the New Year with spectacular fireworks displays, couples nationwide welcomed new members to their families in maternity wards filled with excited relatives.
Shortly after 2015 flashed across the face of the Burj Khalifa at midnight, hospital delivery rooms rang with the cries of newborns.
In Abu Dhabi, three boys were born in Corniche Hospital on Thursday, the first day of 2015.
“I can’t describe my joy. I am very happy to see my son on a New Year day. It’s a special gift,” said 33-year old Emirati Saeed Salem, who works as an aircraft engineer in the UAE Air Force.
“It was not expected. He was supposed to have been born last week, but God had other plans and blessed me with a son on January 1. I am very happy.”
He named the baby Fares.
“It means Knight in English. He will be strong and brave when he grows up. I want him to become a pilot and serve the country.”
Salem was born on December 2, which is UAE National Day. With his son being born on New Year’s day, “there are two special occasions for me to celebrate,” Salem said.
Two other boys — a Jordanian and an Indian — were born in the hospital on Thursday.
Shabeer Ali, the father of the Indian boy, said that his son is doing fine and weighs 3.285kg. “I named my son Ahmad Abdul Rahman after one of my favourite uncles. It is a great day for me.”
Ali like Salem is an aircraft engineer and works for Etihad Airways. He is also the father of two other boys and a girl.
Ebrahim Salameh, the Jordanian father, was elated to see his new son.
“It’s a double celebration for me. I have one more reason to celebrate New Year’s Day. We did not expect this would happen on the first day of the year. I am very excited,” Salameh said.
The boy Aubaida Ebrahim is Salameh’s fourth child. “Both the father and mother are doing good and healthy. My colleagues are planning a big party to rejoice the occasion. Apart from joy, it also brings in added responsibility. I have to work much harder to raise my kids and give them good life.”
In Dubai, a representative from Latifa Hospital told Gulf News that the first baby of the New Year — a boy — was delivered at 12.51am. He is the son of Zainab Ali from the Comoros Islands. Both mother and baby are doing well.
The first Emirati baby — a boy — at the hospital was delivered by Alia Khalifa was born at 2.47am. The child is currently in the intensive care unit, but the reason for him being placed there is not known. The mother’s condition is stable.
In Sharjah, meanwhile, the first baby was born to an Egyptian couple at 12:15 am at Al Qasimi Hospital.
Hajer Ahmad said she was very happy that her baby boy was the first to born in the New Year in the emirate.
“I have been blessed with a healthy baby boy, and this wonderful event marks the tone of the rest of the year for me,” she said
The second baby Emirati girl was delivered at 2am at Al Qasimi Hospital.
“This is a special date,” her mother Mariam Eisa said. Her baby girl was delivered at 2am.
