Pakistani pilgrim gives birth to twins during hajj

A Pakistani woman who joined millions of Muslims around the world in the annual hajj pilgrimage was caught by unexpected labor pains near the holy city of Mecca, where she gave birth to twin baby girls and named them after two mountains between which Muslims travel back and forth seven times during the ritual.

Unknown to the rest of the world, Tahira Yasmin named her twin baby girls Safa and Marwah.

The Safa and Marwah mountains are marked during the hajj wherein Muslims travel round the mountains for seven times, either by walking or running. This part of the hajj depicts the sacrifice of Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, during a test by Allah in which she ran across the two mountains for seven times, climbing on top in search of food and water while worrying for the safety of her son.

Dr. Abdullah Mosleh al-Khoza'i, director of Mina al-Wadi Hospital, said the delivery was natural and that twins were in good health, according to the Saudi website Sabq. The hospital, he added, was well-prepared to receive emergency cases during the hajj pilgrimage and had a specialized section for women.

The mother described the delivery as “fortunate” as the twins were born in the holy city of Mecca.