All I wish for in 2015 is ...

New Year is a time of hope, a time of renewal. Ahead of New Year tomorrow, we asked our reporters and correspondents to check with people from all over the world on their wishes for 2015. Here’s what they told us:

Tamer Atallah, Dubai

“I wish to be completely cured from diabetes. Living with this disease is harder than anyone would think. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me every time they find out I have diabetes. I don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night because my blood sugar is low. I don’t want to control my eating habits because of my blood sugar. It’s a daily struggle that I want to be free of.”

Bashar Al Junaibi, Abu Dhabi

“I would love to start on my graduate studies in the US this year. The problem is that it will cost me more than $30,000 (Dh110,195). I am trying to slowly save up to collect that amount. It hasn’t been easy so far, but maybe this will be my year.”

Hala Darwish, Dubai

“I wish everyone would unite in 2015 so that we could finally live in a peaceful world free of hatred, killings and starvation. The world we currently live in is in turmoil and trouble, especially the Middle East. Many of us have a dream of visiting our home countries, but because of the absence of peace and stability, we don’t get the chance to travel back home anymore.”

Samer Odeh, Palestine: “My wish for the new year is to participate in building a strong Palestinian national economy with the help of the Palestinian public.”

Heera Nand, India: “My wish for the new year is that my country becomes richer and prosperous in every sense of the word, and we are able to tell the outside world that we are no less than any other country. India is already on the right track but there is a lot of scope for growth and development of this great nation. I personally would like to contribute to this vision by trying to become a better citizen. I also wish to create an awakening of sorts among the people in my circle, so that my personal wish for the new year becomes a collective national vision.”

Hana Kasem, Dubai

“My wish would be to open up my own business enterprise. Secondly, I hope to meet my life partner and settle down. I’m not asking for a fairy tale, but I wouldn’t mind that either. Most importantly, in 2015 I wish my family remains healthy, prosperous and happy.”

Ahmad Abdul Majeed, Egypt

“In 2015, I wish I can leave Egypt where hard work, creativity and ambitions are not appreciated. My first destination will hopefully be the UAE.”

Jerry Zablan, Dubai

“My wish is to just give priority to myself. Looking back at this past year, I feel like I’ve accomplished so much: A growth-oriented job, knocked a year off university, moved around, met new people and learned so much by stepping out of my comfort zone and travelling. However, I feel like I have sprinted my way to figure out ‘whats’ next’ to the extent that I am missing out on the simplicity of the moment. We all love ourselves enough to push further for a successful future or at least we like to believe we do. The least we can do despite racing to success is enjoying the road to get there.”

Asaad Basha, Palestine

“My wish for the new year is to pray regularly and without any restrictions in Al Haram Al Sharif of the occupied east Jerusalem.”

Saanya Nair, Abu Dhabi

“2015 is the year in which I will attend my first big set of board exams! I want to become a dentist and this will be my first stepping stone to that goal. I am studying hard, and am confident about getting good grades in Science. But Math is a challenge because it really requires me to use all my mental faculties.”

Daljeet Singh, India

“My wish for the coming year is that I fulfil my personal and professional goals which I have set for myself. I understand that only lack of hard work and an indisciplined lifestyle can prevent me from achieving my goals. As they say, the recipe for success is a mix of hard work and discipline. Having full knowledge of that, I strive to become more organised, regulated and disciplined in my approach to life in general. If I can do just that, there is no stopping me and I can virtually achieve anything and everything.”

Samar Michail, Dubai

“In a world where image and status reign supreme, people are so busy looking after their own interests that they disregard, or worse, take advantage of others around them, even the ones close to them. My wish for 2015 is a simple on, I want to be someone who can help others aspire to be the better version of their selves. I believe that by developing oneself and helping each other to do the same, we will strengthen our bond to others in our own community and build a better society for future generations who will understand the value of an individual. If we could see into each other’s hearts, the world would be a more beautiful place.”

Saeed Arabs, Palestine

“My wish for the new year is to see the Palestinian attempts in the UN institutions land on high ground and end up fully successful.”

Sameera Aliahiane, Abu Dhabi

“I would love to get accepted as a cabin crew member. I have applied before but it hasn’t worked out. It has been my dream since I was a child. So I will apply again to another airline this year. Of course I will need more training to excel in the role of a stewardess, but I know it will be worth it.”

Abraham Idjirani, Philippines

“I wish that in 2015 the government of Malaysia adopts a policy of holding direct talks with Sultan Esmail Kiram II ... I wish that the Malaysian government treats the Sultanate of Sulu as a serious partner in resolving this territorial issue including its problem with Filipino-Muslim refugees in the region. I also wish that the Malaysian government responds spiritually to the disasters it is facing.”

Haneen Qatanini, Dubai

“My wish is Canada. A place where a human being is treated only for who they actually are and for what they can give to society or to the company they work in. A place that openly accepts everyone and fairly treats them is a human right and should not be considered a human dream.”

Amal Habeesh, Egypt

“My wish for 2015 is just to get my dreams from my head into my hands. I want to make my own money and have my own apartment. I want to travel to Asia and learn Korean since I’m a big fan of Korean dramas. At the spiritual level, I wish to become closer to God, being always on time for my prayers, start attending Quran classes.”

Amir Dawoud, Palestine

“My wish for the New Year is to be part in building a an independent, prosperous and developed Palestinian state.”

Youdian Kum, Abu Dhabi

“My New Year wish is to just be a better person in 2015, by acting right and good, like the things I used to do before in 2014 I will try to correct them in 2015. I will not do the same mistakes in 2015, I want to be a better person. If I am a better person I will become happier and things will go straight, and all my dreams will come true. So my wish for 2015 is to be a better person.”

Zakir Ahmad, India

“I have just formed a small welfare organisation for the benefit of women and children in and around the national capital. Hence my new year wish has to be about expanding its activities in the coming year and to be able to reach the marginalised lot of the society. I would like to work on it with single-minded focus and zeal so that when the next year ends, I can look back with satisfaction. I have to build block by block and for that I need good wishes of everyone.”

Harry Roque, Philippines

“I wish that the Philippine government immediately take custody of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton (who was charged with murder of transgender Jennifer Laude in a motel in Olongapo last October). This does not only concern justice for Jennifer Laude’s family now. It is justice for every Filipino now as well. The government must prove that it will not cower to the demands of the Americans as well and fully assert the right of the Filipino people.”

Thulara Ganegoda, Abu Dhabi

“I am currently working as a sales associate, but I have a degree in aeronautical engineering from China and I would love to get a job in my chosen field. I have done very well this year in a sector that I have no experience with, and I love challenges, so I am hopeful about 2015.”

Owais Kazi, Dubai

“My wish is to win the lottery and use that money to travel the world. I want a long, long holiday of just visiting different countries and exploring everything in those countries. I travel a lot already because my job requires me to travel frequently, but when I do it’s a business trip so I’m busy with exhibitions and work. If I’m on holiday, I can wake up on a Sunday without dreading the fact that I have to wake up for work. I want a worry free Sunday where it does not symbolize a negative start to the week.”

Mohammad Suhail, Abu Dhabi

“My wish is for everyone to have a blessed and happy year, I also want there to be peace, and for 2015 to be better than the last year. I want my family to be happy and blessed in the New Year, that is my wish. For myself I am happy and am not looking for anything, I have what I need, and I am happy. But I wish happiness and peace for everybody else, this is what I am hoping for in 2015.”

Abdullah Smaik, Palestine

“My wish for the new year is to see Palestinian internal reconciliation and unification and to end up a real singular nation.”

Omnia Gamal, Dubai

“I don’t usually like wishing for things to happen, but this time I really wish that in 2015 I would get a chance to spend more time in Egypt and not just spend a short vacation there. This is because I love the feeling of being home surrounded by my family and friends. It’s where I belong and a place where I never felt left out.”

Bibik Giri, Abu Dhabi

“My wish for 2015 is to go to Canada, I have applied and am looking for a working visa in Canada and my plan is to go there, so I hope it works out. I also wish everyone else and also my family to have a bright future, to have good health, and a joyful happy life.”

Mrigank Jain, India

“My wish for the coming year is very personal but I can share with you. Being plump and overweight, I would like to grow six pack abs on my abdomen in the next 12 months. I know for my kind of body, 12 months may be short but I plan to work wholeheartedly on my body and diet. I also intend to learn fitness regimens of some Indian and American celebrities and fashionistas in order to pick up the best exercises for me.”

Eric Manti, Abu Dhabi

“My wish in 2015 is to have a better job, I want a better job that will make me more happy, and obviously a better job that will also have a better salary. If I can have this in 2015 I will be happy, and that’s what I hope for in the upcoming New Year.”

Wasan Makhlouf, Dubai

“For me, my wish is to find a job in 2015 in the film industry given that I graduated from media earlier on this year. My goal out of finding a job is to feel fully independent with a stable job. Finding a job will also help me feel settled in the country.”

Rosalie Reyes, Abu Dhabi

“My dearest wish is to be able to provide a better future for my three boys. The eldest is now 18 years old and has just started a degree in human resource management. So I am trying to work hard, get a pay hike and ensure that my children get to finish their education.”

Mian A. Anjum, Dubai

“My wish is very simple, I would like to see a terror and corrupt free Pakistan because that is the main reason the country is on the back forth and we have political instability. Economically we are also weak and we have so many issues when it comes to leadership, so real leadership is required to tackle challenges and take strict necessary actions which are imperative to put the country on the right track. This wish will come true if all Pakistanis act together in unity I also expect from the military leadership to wipe off corrupt politicians by putting them on trial.”

Garry Delara, Abu Dhabi

“My wish is to provide to all the needs for my family, to put my children through school and for them to finish their studies, so in the future they can go and do what they want. This is a wish as a father, to be a good father, and I think every father has this wish, to take care of their family and to provide for their needs. All things I have I give for my family, sending money back to the Philippines.”