A senior official said Saudi Arabia has commissioned Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer to revamp its national anthem as part of its push to modernise its image.
According to Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Zimmer, celebrated for his legendary scores in films like The Lion King (1994), Dune, and The Dark Knight trilogy, has reportedly agreed to the project’s initial framework.
Taking to social media platform X, Alalshikh hinted at broader collaborations with Zimmer, saying, “We discussed a lot about many future projects that I hope will see the light of day soon, including rearranging the Saudi national anthem with different instruments.” Zimmer’s potential involvement doesn’t stop there. Discussions also included a Saudi-inspired musical titled Arabia, a large-scale concert, and the soundtrack for the upcoming Saudi film The Battle of Yarmuk. Alalshikh expressed optimism, noting, “We agreed on the broad outlines of all these projects, and I hope we will reach a final agreement on them.”
According to nationalanthems.info, the current Saudi national anthem, Aash-Al-Malik (Long Live the King), was initially composed by Egyptian musician Abdul Rahman Al-Khateeb in 1947 at the request of King Abdulaziz, the kingdom’s founder.
The website said the current version is composed in the “Arab fanfare” style, which was common in the region at the time.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter and home to Islam’s holiest sites, is undertaking an ambitious transformation to diversify its economy beyond oil.
Following the reopening of cinemas, granting women the right to drive, and welcoming the first non-Muslim tourists in 2018, the country’s transformation has accelerated with mega-projects, including resorts and Neom, a $500 billion futuristic city in the desert.
Alalshikh has been key in various cultural and sporting promotions, including heavyweight boxing events and concerts featuring international musicians.
The reasons behind the authorities’ decision to revamp the anthem were not immediately clear.
Activists argue that Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve its image are an attempt to mask ongoing hardline policies, including restricted women’s rights, limitations on free speech, and some of the highest execution rates in the world.
