The children's guardian, who represents the children involved in the case, and Sharif are opposing the appeal, which is being heard by three senior judges in London.

“Our patron saints and guardian angels, pray for us,” they intoned together.

But one charity said it was "tantamount to abuse" to force or allow a child to sit in wet or soiled underwear until a parent or guardian can come in and change them.

In a chaotic situation amid bombings and mass displacement, the UN's children's agency, Unicef, has managed to reunite just 63 children with their parents or guardians.

The government of Dubai previously said: "Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor and, in accordance with procedures recognised internationally, her mother - being the legal guardian - filed the complaint."