Live updates: follow the latest news on UAE National Day 2021
Identical Emirati twins born minutes after midnight were among the first children welcomed into the world on the UAE’s Golden Jubilee.
Dozens of babies were born in the seconds, minutes and hours after the clock struck 12am, arriving by natural and Caesarean section deliveries.
Twins Hamid Ahamed Al Kathiri and Ali Ahmed Al Kathiri were born at Burjeel Medical City in Mohamed bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, at 12.10am. They weighed 2.1 kilograms and 2.4kg, respectively.
Their father, Ahmed Al Kathiri, said he and his wife were thrilled to welcome the babies to the family.
“We were expecting the delivery to happen in the first week of December,” he said.
“But we never thought that our little princes would arrive on the occasion of the UAE's 50th National Day.
“They have made it so special. Welcoming twin babies on a historic day is an unforgettable moment for us. All of us in our family are overwhelmed."
He thanked the team at Burjeel Medical City who delivered the babies.
There were three more Emirati babies born at the hospital in the first hours of the anniversary, including girls Hind Ahmed Al-Marzouqi and Fatima Faisal Rahma, who were born at 12.01am and 12.30am, respectively.
Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi welcomed its first baby on the stroke of midnight, possibly making her the first baby to be born in the country on this special day.
Methaa Muslam Almanhali weighed 2.65kg and was born to an Emirati couple, Muslam Lazem Muslam Almanhali and Muna Ali Ahmed.
“We have been longing for this since Muna became pregnant,” Mr Almanhali said.
“This is our second child and hence the entire family has been waiting for this day. It is a blessing that the child has been born when the nation as a whole is celebrating its Golden Jubilee."
In Ras Al Khaimah, a baby was delivered at 12.01am.
Weighing 3.76kg, Zayed Abu Arish was born to an Emirati mother and Jordanian father at RAK Hospital.
"It's double the joy for us as we celebrate country's Golden Jubilee as well as the arrival of our baby boy born on this special occasion. We have named our boy Zayed in remembrance of UAE's great Founding Father," said the father, Ahmed Ahmad.
"The mother and the baby both feel healthy and safe."
Elsewhere in the UAE, Salem Al Derei and Reya Saeed Al Nuaimi welcomed a son delivered by Caesarean section at 2.30am at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah. The boy, who has not yet been named, weighed 3.24kg.
“We are blessed with our first child, a baby boy, and what a day to celebrate his arrival [on] the 50th UAE National Day,” Mr Al Derei said.
“We Emiratis are proud of our country and we are proud parents of our baby boy. God bless our country and our child today and always.”
Almost an hour later, at 3.25am, another baby boy was delivered at the hospital, this time by emergency C section, to Egyptian couple Ghada and Ahmed Hamid.
The baby weighed 3.46kg and has not yet been named.
“We are overjoyed in welcoming our baby boy to his two other siblings. We couldn't have asked for a better moment to celebrate our precious baby boy,” Mr Hamid said.
Michael Davis, chief executive of NMC Health, said it was a blessing for the families to welcome their babies on such a special day.
“The birth of a child is always a reason to celebrate and as it doubles with the celebratory occasion of this great country's 50th National Day, the happiness certainly knows no bounds. We pray that the babies continue to bring joy and remain a blessing for their families for ever," he said.
UAE celebrates its 50th National Day - in pictures
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A spectacular fireworks display on the Corniche to mark the UAE's Golden Jubilee year in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Down below was a wonder that seemed to defy the laws of physics: a lake floating on a lake — the man-made stage for the hour-long show. Everyone in the UAE could watch the live show broadcast on all local TV channels, as well as on the National Day’s official website. Victor Besa/TheNational. -
The Golden Jubilee show opened with the sound of drums rolling across the waters and reverberating through the peaks. From high in the hills came the sound of the nadba, the ancient cry of greeting of the Shihuh, the tribe whose home is the mountains of the Northern Emirates. Victor Besa/TheNational. -
Live screenings were also organised in all seven emirates, in cinemas, cultural spaces, and public places. Victor Besa/TheNational -
Broadcast live from Hatta Lake, the 50th National Day Celebration was a fitting extravaganza for a country that often goes above and beyond. Victor Besa/TheNational. -
The UAE flag displayed on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh/The National. -
Children enjoying the joy rides outside the Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh/The National. -
ADNOC lit up with different images of the leaders to mark the year of the Golden Jubilee occasion, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/The National -
A young boy waves the UAE flag from the dhow monument along the Corniche for the 50th National Day in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/The National -
Children waiting for the airshow display along the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National -
Proud Emirati children waiving the UAE flag along the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National -
Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attend the Federal Supreme Council meeting, at the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Palace. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
The Al Fursan Air Display at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
A spectacular aerial display at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
Water Feature area at Expo 2020 Dubai during the 50th UAE National Day. Victor Besa/The National. -
Rola Saheb from Dubai at the flag garden near Kite Beach. Pawan Singh / The National -
A girl and a boy with UAE flag colours at Kite Beach, on Jumeirah Beach Road. Ruel Pableo / The National -
Families spend time at Kite Beach on UAE National Day. Ruel Pableo / The National -
A flag-carrying family cycle along Kite Beach. Ruel Pableo / The National -
Young women on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi fly the country's flag for the 50th National Day. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Emirati families celebrate the UAE's National Day on the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Emirati boys enjoy National Day in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A young man's headgear is straightened for National Day. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Proud siblings wave the national flag on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai prepare to celebrate the UAE's 50th National Day. Victor Besa / The National -
Brothers spend the country's anniversary at the world's fair. Victor Besa / The National -
Festivities get under way with a colourful parade. Victor Besa / The National -
The parade is a sea of colour and sound. Victor Besa / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said the country had overcome huge challenges over the past 50 years. Victor Besa / The National -
Live music adds to the party atmosphere. Victor Besa / The National -
(L-R) Anju Jacob, Evelyn and Sebin Dcruz at the flag garden near Dubai's kite beach on the UAE’s 50th National Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
Rola Saheb from Dubai at the flag garden. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai on UAE National Day. Victor Besa / The National -
Young Emiratis in costume for UAE National Day. Victor Besa / The National -
A photograph is taken to mark the memorable occasion. Victor Besa / The National -
Young people enjoy the special events. Victor Besa / The National -
A series of events was held to mark National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
This little girl points the way forward. Victor Besa/The National -
Servhub treated its employees to a National Day celebration at their accommodation in Jebel Ali. Ruel Pableo for The National -
Servhub staff enjoy the occasion. Ruel Pableo for The National -
The flag-raising ceremony gets under way. Victor Besa / The National -
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and commissioner general of Expo 2020 Dubai, speaks after the flag-raising ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza. Victor Besa / The National -
An Al Azi performance takes place. Victor Besa / The National -
Visitors arrive at the world's fair – with masks on. Victor Besa / The National -
People dressed to celebrate the UAE's special day arrive at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
Aircraft fly over The Founder's Memorial – a national tribute to the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed – on the UAE's 50th National Day. Photo: Wam -
Sadique Ahamed ran 50 kilometres in Abu Dhabi on National Day to show his appreciation and loyalty to the UAE. Photo: Wam
