In 2021, the world witnessed a moment of pure wonder when Halima Cissé, a young woman from Mali, gave birth to nine babies — five girls and four boys.
Doctors described births as one of the rarest medical events in history. Four years later, those nine little fighters are thriving, living proof of faith, resilience, and the boundless strength of motherhood.
Halima’s pregnancy, completely natural and without fertility treatment, stunned doctors across continents. At just 25 years old, she was flown from Mali to Morocco under government care after doctors grew concerned about her and her babies’ survival. What was expected to be a pregnancy with seven babies turned out to be something far more miraculous — nine new lives entering the world at once.
“It’s extremely rare, it’s exceptional,” said Prof. Youssef Alaoui, medical director at the Ain Borja Clinic in Casablanca, where a team of 10 doctors and 25 paramedics worked tirelessly to bring the nonuplets safely into the world.
The babies, weighing between 500 grams and one kilogram, were delivered via Cesarean section and spent their first months in incubators.
Halima’s husband, Adjudant Kader Arby, who remained in Mali with their older daughter, said faith was his family’s anchor through it all.
“God gave us these children. He is the one to decide what will happen to them. When the Almighty does something, He knows why,” he told BBC Afrique.
The Malian government celebrated the birth as a national triumph, with Health Minister Fanta Siby praising the medical teams in Mali and Morocco for their extraordinary coordination and care.
“We are proud of this happy outcome,” Siby said at the time.
For weeks, Halima’s story captivated people around the world — not only because of the record-breaking number of babies but because of the heart behind it. Born in a modest Malian household, Halima became a global symbol of maternal strength, inspiring mothers everywhere who have faced uncertainty, risk, and sacrifice.
Today, her nine children — four years old and full of life — are growing strong and healthy. Photos shared by family friends show bright smiles and playful energy, each child a reminder that miracles do exist.
Halima’s journey was not just a medical marvel; it was a story of endurance, prayer, and the unshakable belief that love can overcome even the greatest odds. Her story continues to inspire parents and health workers around the world.
