An 80-year-old man from Penang, who is known as Pak Yob, welcomed his first child, a daughter, on May 31st.
Recently, a clip featuring Pak Yob reciting the Adhan, an Islamic call to prayer, while standing over his newborn’s bassinet in the hospital was shared online.
The video caused quite a stir amongst netizens, with many expressing their admiration for Pak Yob and his 42-year-old wife, Ummi.
According to Ummi, the couple had tried 10 years before conceiving their first child, whom she believes is “a gift from Allah”.
Other than the couple’s 38 year age gap, netizens were astonished by how they could conceive given how old Pak Yob is.
“This child is lucky. Maybe [her] father’s strength isn’t like that of a young person who can run and chase after [her], but his love, attention and care are unmatched,” wrote one netizen.
Others, however, were more concerned with the challenges Pak Yob might face with raising a child in his 80s. “Will he have the energy to take care of the kid?” questioned one netizen, while another wondered: “How many more years can the old man watch his child grow up?”
Despite the comments, Pak Yob and Ummi’s story also served to bring comfort to individuals who are struggling to have kids of their own.
Inspired by the couple, a netizen shared: “I just turned 40 and I still don’t have kids. Sometimes I feel discouraged thinking about it. If it happens, okay, [but if it doesn’t], that’s okay too. Maybe we just need to keep trying.”
Many have since dubbed Pak Yob and Ummi’s story one of love and patience, proving how their strong belief in faith had brought about a miracle.