NASFAT celebrates first baby of New Islamic Year

Though he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, the mere fact that he was first baby of the new Islamic year in Lagos makes the baby of Mr. and Mrs. Ganiat Salaudeen a historic child.

The baby boy, who is not yet christened, was born at 9:05am on Thursday. He weighed 3.3kg at birth.

The child’s mother, Ganiat, radiated laughter throughout as women of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria, went to the Lagos Island Maternity on the Island to honour the first baby.

The group, apart from giving an award to the baby, also donated hospital equipment to the hospital.

Salaudeen commended the group for the show of love showered on her newborn as well as the family through their generous donations and honour.

She thanked Allah for making her to deliver the baby without any complications.

“I promise to bring up the child in the way of Allah. I thank NASFAT for this honour done us,” Salaudeen said.

National Women Affairs Secretary, Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, said the group came to the hospital to commemorate the Muharam – the new Islamic year, the 1434 A.H.

She said, “We chose the hospital because it is a baby factory. The place is where we have the highest childbirths in Nigeria.

“We want to show appreciation to God for creating us and for sparing our lives up till the moment.”

Arogundade said as part of the measures to assist in stemming the tide of maternal and infant mortality, the group had partnered with Lagos State Government.

She said people could only show gratitude to God only when they showed love to their fellow humans, stressing that Islam stands for love and peace.

She listed some of the equipment donated to the hospital as dissecting sets, stethoscope, umbilical cord kits, bed sheets and bowls among others.

Arogundade said the significance of Muharam in Islam was that people should migrate from their bad ways to good ways.

“Every mother needs to learn more about Islam. Apart from Islam, whatever faith you profess, learn it well. Women are the first teachers of the children and they have a way of impacting on them positively or negatively,” she said.

She also said NASFAT would visit some primary schools in the state in order to donate exercise books customised in NASFAT.

Also, Medical Director, Island Maternity, Imosemi Donald, lauded NASFAT for identifying with the first baby.

Donald urged mothers to bring up their children in the way that glorified God, saying that if the parents could teach moral values, children would grow into good responsible adults.

He said the visit by the group was also a sign of religious tolerance, saying that apart from the first baby who is a Muslim, the second baby born 10:28am is a Christian.

Culled: Punchng