Sheikh Khalifa leads UAE royals in conveying hopes for the new year

Sudheer Hussain and his daughter Haya, originally from India but have lived in Abu Dhabi for 20 years, are celebrating this new year on the Corniche with family. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National

Nameer Khazam, from Syria, playing football. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National

People gather for New Years Eve festivities at The Galleria in on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National

People eat from food trucks during New Years Eve festivities at The Galleria in on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National

Buildings along the Abu Dhabi corniche light up for New Years. Mona Al Marzooqi/ The National

Led by Sheikh Khalifa and the Royal family, Abu Dhabi residents express their wishes and dreams for 2016 in good health, prosperity and new adventures.

President Sheikh Khalifa led the country in celebrating 2016 with messages of congratulations to the leaders of friendly countries around the world.

Sheikh Khalifa’s wishes for good health, prosperity and progress for all nations were echoed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Sheikha Fatima, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union and widow of the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed, sent similar messages to the wives of the world leaders.

The Rulers’ themes were reflected in Abu Dhabi residents as they welcomed in the new year.

Residents had numerous choices for entertainment with the many parties taking place around the capital, including the fireworks on the Corniche and at Al Maryah Island.

The sense of anticipation started to grow by late afternoon on the Corniche as traffic built up before sunset and residents arrived to jockey for the best positions to take in an elaborate show of fireworks, an annual tradition.

Abu Dhabi resident Sudheer Hussain that said after many years of travelling to Dubai to take in the new year’s celebrations, he decided to stay in the capital with his wife and children.

To pass the time, he rented a pedal car that he rode with his two-year-old daughter, Haya, and took a moment to share his devotional goal for the new year.

“I am a Muslim, so for me it’s my dream to visit Mecca,” he said.

Later in the evening, as the clock struck midnight, the crowd at Al Maryah Island was treated to an eight minute long show. Gasps of delight and clapping rang out as red, white and green fireworks filled the sky.

“It was fabulous” said Abu Dhabi resident Omar Migdadi, who took in the show with his wife, Walaa.

Like many of the revellers, he took a global perspective when describing his hopes and aspirations for the year.

“We need peace and less wars,“ said Mr Migdadi, originally from Jordan. “We lost too many people in 2015. We’ll meet them in heaven, inshallah.”

His sentiments were shared by others, including Shadi Al Khouri, who spent the evening enjoying the sunset with his mother who was visiting from Lebanon.

“We just hope that 2016 will be much more beautiful than 2015, and that this year will bring peace and prosperity to all nations.”

Ali Al Ali, who was taking a stroll along the Corniche with daughters Amna and Marian before the fireworks, said he wanted to see less greed in the world.

“My goal is to have peace,” he said. “Everyone needs happiness, and people need to be happy with what they have.”

Mariam, a recent electrical engineering graduate, said she wanted to continue to be happy with her job. Her older sister Amna, who earned a Master’s degree in the US last year, had bolder plans – she wanted to travel to Iceland and also try skydiving.

“I feel that if you follow your dreams, it will affect your ambitions for the future,” said her father in approval to his daughter’s goals. “She has to aim high.”

At Al Maryah Island, organisers put together an evening full of celebrations for the second consecutive year in one of the city’s emerging neighbourhoods.

Stores at Galleria Mall remained open until midnight, while residents and their families took in live performances from musical acts and a DJ; a virtual display beamed in new year’s celebrations from around the world.

As the first few seconds of the new year ticked off, an estimated 8,000 people took in a fireworks display from the island’s promenade.

For taxi driver Abdulnaze Edayadi, he wanted to continue saving money to fulfil his dream of one day running his own business.

“If it’s a success, I want to bring my family,” said the Indian, who has a wife and two-year-old daughter in Kerala.

“Now is the time to save.”