As the clock ticked over to begin a new decade, new parents across the UAE celebrated a joyous start to 2020 as their babies became the first to be born in the new year.
One of the first to be born as the bells chimed 12 and fireworks exploded across the country was Joseph at Bareen International Hospital in Mohammad Bin Zayed City.
His Syrian parents, Romeo Sheha, 31, and Sally Hanna Habib, 28, were delighted to welcome their second child, who weighed 3.12 kilograms, just seconds into the New Year.
Ms Habib is recovering after doctors performed a Caesarean section.
"We are delighted that our son Joseph was the first baby to be born in 2020," Mr Sheha said. "I am sure he will be excited about the honour too. This is the best New Year's gift."
Minutes later, baby Khalifa arrived at Ras Al Khaimah hospital to Emirati parents Salem and Salma Mubarak.
The baby boy was born minutes after midnight and weighed 3.5kg.
“I chose to call him Khalifa after our president, and for us this baby, like our two other sons, is a blessing, Alhamdulillah,” said Mr Mubarak.
“I don’t know how to express my happiness, but there’s no denying that we have begun the New Year with a very happy feeling.”
The newborns continued to arrive well into the early hours of New Year’s Day.
At NMC Speciality Hospital in Al Ain, Sara Al Kaabi gave birth to baby Faisal at 3.13am.
Her husband Ahmed Al Kaabi, an Emirati engineer working in Abu Dhabi's food control industry, was delighted to welcome the new addition to the family, who weighed 3.07kg.
“We are both immensely happy at receiving our blessed baby boy on the New Year’s Day,” he said.
Faisal was one of six babies delivered on the morning of January 1, with 17 others expected to arrive across NMC hospitals later in the day.
Doctors at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi were also in for a busy morning, delivering three babies in the first few hours of 2020.
Two girls and a boy were the new arrivals in the first hour after midnight.
Hind Al Jabri was the first to arrive at 12.01am.
“The arrival of our baby on the first day of the new year is truly special and it indeed doubled our joy,” said father, Saif Abdul Al Jabri.
Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children in Abu Dhabi welcomed four newborns (three boys and a girl) in the first eight hours of the New Year.
The first baby born at the hospital was delivered at 1.01am to Emirati parents. He weighed 3kg.
"The delivery was supposed to happen four days ago, but with Allah’s will, it happened today so that our baby joins us on this special occasion, not only is it the new year, but it is a new decade," said father Ali Al Shehhi.
"He is our first baby; we have named him Abdullah, and both him and my wife are in good health. From here, I would like to wish everyone a happy New Year.”
The second baby was born at 7.05am, also to Emirati parents. Baby Noora is Mohammed Salem's sixth child.
“We were expecting her few days ago, but with Allah’s will, she joined us on this special day, and our celebration is now doubled. She weighed 3.3 KG and is in good health. We are thankful to Allah for all the blessings," said Mr Salem.
A little over five minutes later, the family of Aitizaz Raza, an engineer from Pakistan, welcomed their third boy.
“My wife went into labour three weeks before due date. The baby weighed 2.3kg and is in good health thanks to Allah. We still haven’t decided on his name. His brother and sister were so excited to meet him," Mr Raza said.
The hospital handed out flowers to all patients and children who spent New Year's day at the hospital.
