Dubai: Having a birthday on December 2 that coincides UAE National Day is a unique privilege that some UAE residents are fortunate enough to share. This year, ringing in their birthday along with celebrations marking UAE’s Golden Jubilee has made these residents feel even more special.
National Day plans
Farida Naghiyeva, an Azerbaijani expat born on December 2, 1978, will turn 43 this year when UAE ushers in its historic golden anniversary. “I feel very special in this country as I share my birthday with it. Every year we spend our time in a beautiful UAE resort. This year, we plan to go to RAK and I am hoping to see a lot of brilliant fireworks and enjoy my special day.”
Twice as nice
Jonathan Bonnaventure D’souza, an Indian expat from the state of Goa, was born in the UAE on December 2, 2000. His parents Mipath and Francis D’souza are over the moon that their son will be marking his 21st birthday with UAE’s historic Golden Jubilee.
D’souza told Gulf News: “Every year, my birthday was marked by a national holiday and fireworks. My friends always commented on this. This year is special as I mark my 21st and my mother organised a surprise party for me a week ago. Therefore, in fact, I will have double celebrations, as I will be able to participate in the Golden Jubilee fireworks. To me, the UAE has always been my home and I look forward to my graduation here and finding a suitable employment.”
‘It’s a proud moment for us’
Another Indian expat, Murtaza Tanveer Abbas Bhurani, was born on December 2, 2019. His father Tanveer Bhurani was overjoyed on the birth of his second child. “When my son was born, he was featured in newspapers as he was a National Day baby. It appears that all his life he will be special, being born on National Day. As Murtaza’s parents, we feel it is a proud moment for us to celebrate our son’s birthday in UAE, which I consider one of the most progressive countries of the world.”
Special feeling
Lubov Slobodskya, a medical adviser from Russia, will turn 36 on December 2. She cannot forget how special she felt on the first birthday she celebrated here. “I came to the UAE in 2007 and when I came to know I shared my birthday with the UAE’s formation, I felt so important. I get to celebrate my birthday with grand fireworks. Every year, it is a privilege to have a holiday on my birthday and I usually travel with my family to a picturesque locale within the country. This year, we plan to go to Ras Al Khaimah and continue the story of celebration.”
Good news
Ekaterina Kalikova, 3, is the second child in a Russian family of three kids. Born to Victoria Kalikova on December 2, 2018, the little girl has been a source of much joy in the family. “My daughter is as happy and confident as the nation she is born in. When I conceived her, I did not have any idea she would be born on UAE National Day. But as the date of delivery got closer and I began having labour pains, I was happy she arrived on such a special day. Now every year, the entire country celebrates her birth.”
Kalikova added: “Hers is a birthday we cannot forget; if we overlook to celebrate, the government celebrates with spectacular fireworks. This year we plan to stay home, and witness all the grand celebrations.”
