More than 20 babies born on UAE National Day

Abu Dhabi - One of the babies was born at just one minute past midnight.

At least 22 babies were born across the country in the early hours of the UAE's 48th National Day on Monday, with a number of hospitals erupting in celebrations at the stroke of midnight. 
One of the babies, Ryan Foukajdi, was born at just one minute past midnight at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi
The ecstatic parents, Filipino-Moroccan couple Mehdi Foukajdi and Mary Grace Macaligar, said they were thrilled to welcome their new bundle of joy on National Day.
"We are very happy that God has blessed us with a healthy baby boy on this momentous occasion. He is indeed our precious gift and we are grateful to the hospital and staff for delivering him safely," they said.
Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children in Abu Dhabi had a total of 16 newborns - nine boys and seven girls - during the first few hours of Monday.
The first baby was also delivered at 12.01am. His Emirati father, Mohammed Abdullah Al Suwaidi, said: "Having our baby boy at this time of the year is very special. We have named him Abdullah, and he is our first child. We thank Allah that the baby and his mum are in good health. He was due to join us on December 9, but with Allah's will, we welcomed him today."
At NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain, a little fighter was born at 12.15am. Named Mariam, the baby girl suffered from moderate respiratory distress and suspected sepsis.
She is the firstborn of an Egyptian couple - who got her after six years of being married. Her father, Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed, said she was a "gift of God on this blessed occasion of the UAE National Day".
Although she had to be put on respiratory support and IV antibiotics, Mariam is showing improvement, and doctors are hoping to discharge her in a week.
At Al Zahra Hospital, two babies wailed their way into the world at 12.12am and 12.32am. An Emirati family welcomed a baby boy named Diyab, born to Khadijeh Ahmed Cheragheleh and Yaqqb Hassan AlHammadi. The second baby girl named Sama was born at 12:32 to Anas AlBaltosh and Duha AlQawatneh.
"We believe that UAE National Day 2019 will be a lucky day for us, and it has certainly started on the best note possible," said Diyab's father.
Aster Hospital Mankhool welcomed their first National Day baby boy, Murtaza, at 2.05am, born to Indian parents Tanveer Abbas and Shabana Bano.
In the morning of December 2, at 8.54am, Bareen International Hospital in Abu Dhabi welcomed their special bundle of joy Hamad, an Emirati baby. He is the second child born to Mohammad Hamad Al Marri from the UAE.
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE