Dubai: From political conflicts, to inspirational movements, to the trend of twerking, 2014 has brought about a mixture of global events that has sparked a global reaction and left an impression on many people. However, as the year comes to an end, individuals and prominent figures are recognised for some of their inspiring moments - and not so grand moments.
Gulf News talked to UAE residents about individuals they think had a positive or negative impact on the world this past year.
Twenty-eight year-old Mohammad Hamoud from Jordan thinks the Russian President, Vladimir Putin is an individual who has significantly impacted the world in 2014 through politics. “This is in no way a choice for some kind of award but I believe that Putin’s invasion of the Ukraine has potentially taken us back to a cold war era between the west and Russia, which will have ramifications in the political landscape for years to come,” he explained. While this political event did not have a direct effect on people’s life in this region, the Dubai resident said the decision to invade Ukraine has created new tensions in the political field and the impact is yet to be felt.
Another Dubai resident, Fadil Ahmad from Pakistan nominated Miley Cyrus as the most ‘adversely’ influential individual of the year. Pointing out her mid-year transformation, which triggered the twerking trend, Ahmad referred to the singer/actor’s influence on teenage girls around the world.
“Despite her transformation from Hannah Montana, many young girls still idolise her, and it’s very worrying because she highlights how the social pressures of Hollywood, along with fame and corruption can damage the minds of young people,” he said.
Meanwhile, British Dubai resident, Tina M. said she thinks actress Emma Watson who is known for her character in the Harry Potter series, influenced many through her speech on gender equality at the UN this year.
“Her involvement in the UN was inspiring to my personal goals, I appreciated her voice on gender issues and the manner in which was presented her ideas,” she said.
Another inspirational figure is Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai who raised awareness and supported the need for female education, said another Dubai resident Sarah Al Hashimi from Palestine.
“She is the youngest-ever to win a Nobel Prize, and I think through her movement to support a basic human right- the education for women, she has helped a lot of women around the world,” said Sarah.
Agreeing with Times Magazine’s choice for the ‘Person of the year’, Emirati resident Abdulla Ahmad Abdulla said the Ebola fighters were a symbol of courage to many nations who lived in fear of catching the disease. “The Ebola fighters were definitely the most influential people this year because they risked their lives to stop a disease from spreading and becoming a worldwide epidemic,” said Abdulla.
Wondering what surprises the upcoming year will hold, residents keep their fingers crossed hoping to see more positive change in 2015.
