Saudi National Anthem Evolved From 1946 Royal Salute to 1984 Lyrics
RIYADH, September 18, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia’s national anthem developed over nearly four decades, beginning with a melody composed for the royal salute in 1946 and reaching its current form with the official adoption of lyrics in 1984, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The original composition was created in 1946, corresponding to 1365 AH, as a royal salute without lyrics.
In 1958, or 1377 AH, Saudi poet Mohammed Talat wrote a commemorative poem welcoming King Saud bin Abdulaziz during a visit to Taif. The poem and the occasion were documented by the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, known as Darah:
“Long live our beloved King, our souls his sacrifice, protector of the holy mosque!
Cry aloud, ‘Long live the King!’
Raise the banner of the homeland high!
Resound and chant the anthem, ‘Long live the King!’”
The royal salute continued as an instrumental composition throughout the reign of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz.
King Khalid bin Abdulaziz later directed that official lyrics be commissioned to accompany the melody. The project was paused following his passing.
The initiative was revived during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, when Saudi poet Ibrahim Khafaji was assigned to write the anthem’s official lyrics.
Composer Siraj Omar then arranged Khafaji’s words to fit the existing melody, bringing the instrumental royal salute and the new text together in a single composition.
A royal order approved the anthem on July 1, 1984, authorizing its broadcast on Saudi national radio and television with the following lyrics:
“Hasten to glory and supremacy! Glorify the Creator of the heavens!
And raise the green flag bearing the guiding light!
Repeat: ‘Allah is the Greatest!’ O my homeland!
My homeland, live forever as the glory of Muslims!
Long live the King: For the flag and the homeland!”
The 1984 approval completed the anthem’s transition from an instrumental royal salute into the official composition with lyrics used by Saudi Arabia.
Source: SPA
