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Eid Al Fitr in UAE: Afghan parents welcome 12th baby as more couples celebrate newborns
Double celebration for more couples blessed with newborns on Eid's first day
- PUBLISHED: Sun 30 Mar 2025, 7:42 AM
Today is a double celebration for these parents who welcomed their newborns on the first day of Eid Al Fitr.
In Ajman, Afghan expatriates 57-year-old Abdul Ghafoor Abdul Zhair and 45-year-old Bibi Zakekha Niako Gul, welcomed their 12th child today.
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Baby Mahmood, weighing 3.31 kg, arrived on this festive day. His father said, “We feel so happy and blessed that our baby was born on Eid, making this joyous occasion even more special for our family. We are grateful and cherish this beautiful moment. A heartfelt thanks to Thumbay University Hospital, Dr Wajiha, and all the supporting staff for their exceptional care and support.”
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Abu Dhabi
Meanwhile, Burjeel Hospital and Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi marked the auspicious day of Eid Al Fitr with the joyful arrival of newborns, making the celebrations even more special.
At exactly midnight, Jordanian couple Ashraf Joideh and Sahar Allan welcomed their second child at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi. Their baby boy, yet to be named, weighed 3.62 kg and was delivered by Dr Hala Elsayed, specialist in obstetrics and gynecology.
“They say Eid is a time of mercy and blessings — and now we have truly experienced it. The moment I heard our baby cry at midnight, I knew this Eid would be etched in our hearts forever. Our child arrived on this special day, and with that came a lifetime of meaning,” said Joideh, the beaming father.
Dr Elsayed described the moment as particularly special. “In my career of more than two decades, I’ve had the privilege of bringing many lives into the world. It’s always a joyful moment to witness a newborn open their eyes to life. But delivering a baby on Eid Al Fitr feels like a double blessing. We extend our warmest wishes to the baby and the family on this special occasion.”
Meanwhile, at Medeor Hospital, another baby boy, also yet to be named, was born at 12.44 am to Indian couple Kadeejath Rishana and Nishad Abdul Rahiman. The newborn weighed 3 kg.
The parents said, “We are blessed to have a baby in this auspicious month. This Eid will always hold a deeper meaning for our family. We have become five members now and we celebrate both new life and beginnings. We are overwhelmed with gratitude and joy on this special occasion.”
Dr Richa Saini, specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, who delivered the baby, called it an unforgettable experience. “Welcoming the first babies born on Eid is a moment of pure joy for us as healthcare workers. We worked through the night, and witnessing the baby’s first cry on this auspicious day was the perfect reward. We wish the family a lifetime of happiness.”
Dubai and Sharjah
The first cry of baby Ellyan Carl A. Robea brought immeasurable joy to first-time Filipino parents Glydel Atienza and Renel Jay Rebea.
“Your arrival has added extra love and light into the world. May you grow up to live an extraordinary life and be a good boy. Everyone is so fond and excited to see and embrace you. We are so pleased and blessed to have you, our love,” said the delighted parents, whose child was born at Aster Hospital Al Mankhool at 2.29am.
The parents also thanked the doctors and nurses for their care, patience, and dedication that contributed to the baby’s fast delivery.
Portuguese couple Nour Maarouf and Dominique Roseanne welcomed their son at 0.58am at Medcare Sharjah.
Maarouf said, “On this beautiful day of Eid, I thank Allah for the gift of you, my precious baby.”
The first day of Eid also became extra memorable for two proud mothers—Joyce Ann Gervacio Navarra, 35, from the Philippines, and Athulya Balakrishnan, 30, from India—who gave birth at International Modern Hospital (IMH) on Sunday morning.
"This is the most unforgettable Eid of my life. Holding my baby in my arms on this blessed day is a gift I will treasure forever,” Joyce told Khaleej Times.
Meanwhile, Athulya said: "Welcoming my baby on Eid feels like a double blessing. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect moment to become a mother.
The deliveries were handled by Dr Anam Ahmad, specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, and Dr Komila Singal Verma at IMH-Dubai.
Proud new parents Sugandha Asthana and Ganesh Prasad Asthana also felt blessed as they welcomed to the world a bouncing baby boy born at Zulekha Hospital Dubai at 2.03am.
It was a moment of pure joy, said Sugandha, who added: "Bringing my son into the world on Eid feels like the heavens opened just for us. It’s a moment of love, gratitude, and unforgettable happiness."
