DUBAI // The clock chimed and the crowd cheered, all the while illuminated by the grand fireworks display taking place at the Burj Khalifa.
But even until the last few moments, many thought the fireworks would be cancelled after a building right behind the Burj went up in flames several hours beforehand.
However, all went off as planned, the air filling with the sounds of appreciative whistles, claps and cheers as the fireworks shot off into the sky.
Earlier in the evening residents and visitors from across the world thronged the area surrounding the world’s tallest building, eager to see what the emirate had in store to usher in the New Year.
Some, like Iraqi native Haidar Al Zubaidi, flew to the UAE from his home in Jordan specifically to celebrate the occasion.
No sooner had his plane landed in Dubai at 6pm, than the 25-year-old was on his way to The Dubai Mall.
“I have just come from Jordan, where I live with my family, to celebrate the occasion with my friends. I will stay here for a week,” the pharmacist said.
“We reserved at a restaurant in front of the Burj Khalifa to watch the fabulous fireworks.”
And fabulous it was, with tonnes of fireworks being used at various events across the emirate.
As well as the main display at the Burj Khalifa, a second display, scheduled to begin at 12.09am, took place at Burj Al Arab. There was more, too, with a final bout of fireworks taking place at Jumeirah Beach Residence’s The Beach at 12.16am.
The Burj Khalifa fireworks’ theme represented Dubai as a city of the future, organisers said earlier in the week; the 20-minute display was also broadcast live on YouTube.
This year’s fireworks also had a lot to live up to with last year’s extravaganza, that helped Dubai set the world record for the largest firework display, seeing 479,651 shells released.
It was the emirate’s level of commitment to making the night memorable that led Omani Mohammed Saeed to spend hours on the road just to have dinner last night by the Burj.
Having never celebrated the night before, the 25-year-old said he was easily swayed by the celebrations in Dubai.
“I came today and will go back to Oman after the celebration,” said Mr Saeed, who spent the evening with friends.
“This is the first time I have celebrated New Year, but I decided to do it this year because it is something amazing, to have a dinner while watching the greatest fireworks in the whole world.”
However, not all who came managed to get a seat. Many struggled to find room to stand on the streets of Downtown Dubai or get through the doors of The Dubai Mall.
Hours before the arrival of 2016, as the sun began to set, thousands of revellers stood or sat on either side of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, in the shadow of the Burj.
Among those who turned up early was Iraqi resident Mazin Al Nuaimi, who had travelled from Al Ain with his family.
“We usually celebrate the occasion at home, but this year we decided to come and look at the amazing fireworks in Dubai,” the 48-year-old said.
“New Year means, for me, a new year, new life and new hope,” he said. “And my hope in this New Year is to go back to our homeland.”
With Mazin was his brother, Oday, who came with his wife and sons.
“I came from Ajman to watch the fireworks of Burj Khalifa. We did not reserve in any restaurant, so we will just stand outside where the weather is nice,” the 34-year-old said.
roueiti@thenational.ae
