Mere weeks after escaping their war torn homeland, Calgarians Yahya Al Masalma and Seham Talab are celebrating the arrival of their son Mohammad, the first baby to be born in Calgary to Syrian refugee parents during the recent intake.
The expectant parents arrived in Calgary in January after a pregnant Seham Talab was permitted to fly. The couple rests assured in the knowledge that their son will not be subjected to the violence they observed.
“It’s dangerous over there,” said Yahya Al Masalma through an interpreter. “There’s no feeling of safety.”
On Tuesday, Talab attended a routine medical check-up where she was told she was already in labour.
Talab was transported to hospital where Ronnie Saadeh, a volunteer with the Syrian Refugee Support Group, was brought in to the delivery room as a translator. The experience was new to Talab as her three previous deliveries occurred at home.
“She goes into labour in this strange country where she doesn’t know the language, doesn’t know where to go, doesn’t know procedures that we follow when we have babies,” said Saadeh.
Mohammad Al Masalma made his debut Tuesday morning at the Peter Lougheed Centre weighing a healthy 8 lbs 2 oz.
“I’m very grateful and very happy that may son was born in a country as beautiful as Canada,” said Talab through an interpreter.
A sentiment echoed by Mohammad’s father. “I want to thank the Canadian government and Canadians in general,” said Yahya Al Masalma.
The family of six plans to learn English so they can successfully adapt to life amongst their fellow Canadians.
With files from CTV’s Jamie Mauracher
