Leaplings in UAE set to take a big leap

DUBAI: Four-year-old Itrat Et Taheirah is all set to celebrate her first real birthday this February 29. Like many leaplings around the globe who are born on February 29, her birthday has been celebrated either on March 1 or February 28 in the past three years.

“For the first time, we will be celebrating her birthday on the actual day she was born. We have waited four years for this and, as you will understand, we are extremely excited and preparing for a big party,” says Farha Mazhar, Itrat’s mother.

Double celebrations

The Dubai-based parents of the kindergarten girl, their only child, have planned a celebration at her school and another one at home with friends and family.

“Initially, I wasn’t quite happy about having a child born on February 29, but now I proudly tell everyone that my daughter is a leapling. Of course, people are always curious as to how we celebrate her birthday during non-leap years,” says Farha, adding it now brings a smile to her face whenever she thinks about her daughter’s unusual birthday.

While Itrat will be turning one, in leap time, Dubai-based Indian banker Abhijeet Sinha will be celebrating his seventh official birthday.

“I am super excited, it’s going to be huge,” says Abhijeet who will be flying to Mumbai to be with his family and friends. “My grandmother’s birthday falls on February 28, so it will be a double celebration.”

The 28-year-old, however, admits that being a leapling has its shortcomings. He faces issues whenever he fills out personal details on websites as some dropdown menus don’t include February 29. He has to email the parties concerned in order to have his birth date entered correctly.

“People are surprised when I tell them about my date of birth, I have to show them my ID card in order to make them believe,” says Abhijeet, who is anxious to be with his friends. Despite the slight inconveniences, he loves being a leap year baby. “Can’t wait for February 29, it will be a big bash” he says.