With 2011 coming to a close and a New Year dawning, people around the world are drafting resolutions and goals to improve their lives and those of others. Okaz/Saudi Gazette talked to a few people in Jeddah about their wishes for 2012. Ashraf Shalabi, an Egyptian, is the Supervisor of the Mobily branch near the Prophet's Mosque in Madina. He says his dream is always the same – that his children have a better future and that he can live the rest of his life close to the Prophet's Mosque. His one wish for 2012 is that he gets a new car. He is concerned about the situation in Egypt and the Muslim world and hopes that “the tumultuous situation stabilizes and that safety is finally restored to all of them.” Emirati student Azzam Al-Badi's number one wish for the New Year is to remain in good health. He insists everything is without value to people who don't have their health. He wishes “for progress, development and prosperity for the UAE and all Arab countries.” Moroccan bachelor Abdul Raheem Al-Subaitiri reveals he is content with his job but vows that he will be married by the end of 2012 at the latest. He hopes there will be improvements in all Muslim countries especially in Morocco. “The country is definitely moving in the right direction. However, I hope the new government tackles unemployment for the sake of the Moroccan youth and fights administrative corruption,” he said. Muhammad Khamees is from the UAE and was delighted by the recent call by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for a union of the GCC countries. Khamees believes this would be the greatest thing to happen in the region. On a more personal level he said his greatest hope for the coming year is “to be closer to Allah.” Okaz/Saudi Gazette also spoke to Sawad Bashir, who is an Indian expatriate working in the Dammam vegetable market. He likes his job a lot but believes it's time for him to return to his home. “I've spent a beautiful part of my life working in the Kingdom. I'll return within a short period to India to live close to my father, wife and children as I've always wished,” he said. Hassan Muhammad Al-Blushi is from Oman. His parents have been sick for some time and he says his most ardent wish is for Allah to grant them a quick recovery. He is also disturbed by the daily slaughter of innocent women and children in some Arab countries and he hopes that peace will prevail. He also hopes that his country, Oman, continues to develop and prosper. Pakistani Sabeel Bashir is a qualified accountant and hopes to find a job in the beginning of the New Year before finally settling down. He also hopes that the Pakistan political situation develops for the better. “I wish the situation improves and a new government that is capable of improving the living conditions for the Pakistani people comes to power,” he said. Indonesian Abdul Rasheed Saleh works in a supermarket and dreams of returning to his country and family, and getting a better position. “I wish for more progress and prosperity for Indonesia and that a new and better government will be elected.” Bangladeshi pharmacist Muhammad Shah wishes for happiness for all the people of the world. On a personal level, he said: “I dream for my children to do well in their studies and that my earnings improve. I hope my government improves the economy so that Bangladeshis can return to their country instead of being forced by harsh living conditions to work overseas.” Amin Al-Hassan is from Jordan and is a regional manager for H&M readymade clothes. He said: “My ambition is to have peace of mind and tranquility — any accomplishments without attaining these attributes is unimportant. I also wish my children would enroll in universities and excel in their studies.” Al-Hassan is content with the situation in Jordan which is safe and stable. He expressed his wish that “all Arab countries witnessing turmoil have the same stability and security as in Jordan.” Abdul Rahman Muhammad Sa'eed, a Syrian confectioner, said: “I hope the violence in my country Syria ends and that we enjoy stability, security and safety, the way we used to before. On a personal level, I hope 2012 doesn't end without me marrying and owning a car. I pray to Allah to grant my family good health.” Muhammad Fathi is an Egyptian salesman who wishes for better job stability and to return to his country after achieving his financial ambitions. He also hopes that “the moment I am financially capable, I will be able to bring my parents to visit the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madina.” As for his country Egypt, he hopes for an end to the many demonstrations which are grinding to a halt the wheel of daily life. “What do these demonstrators want?” Fathi asks. Turkish Barber Yoksal Ahmad Shakij doesn't have financial dreams for the year 2012 but wishes for good health and for his family to live in happiness. He also wishes for an end to wars throughout the world and for peace to prevail. Shakij hopes Turkey continues its eastward policy of rapprochement with Muslim countries and stops striving to join the European Union, from which his country has not benefited anything. Finally Okaz/Saudi Gazette spoke to Anees Maqsood. Aness is a Macedonian student studying the Arabic language in order to study the Shariah in the Islamic University of Madina. “My wish is to obtain a bachelor's degree in the Shariah so that I am qualified to invite people to Allah's religion.” He is optimistic about the situation in the Arab region and pointed to the situation in Macedonia. “The situation has gotten much better over the last decade and there are no religious conflicts between the country's population of Christians and Muslims,” he said. __
