Saudi Arabia has enlisted the renowned Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer to create a new rendition of its national anthem, as revealed by a senior official in the kingdom. This initiative appears to be part of the conservative Arab nation’s efforts to enhance its global image while diversifying its oil-reliant economy. Zimmer, celebrated for his film scores, won Oscars for “The Lion King” in 1995 and “Dune” in 2022, and has composed music for iconic films such as “Gladiator,” “Rain Man,” and “The Dark Knight Trilogy.”
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, shared a photo on X of his meeting with Zimmer, stating, “We discussed many future projects that I hope will come to fruition soon, including rearranging the Saudi national anthem with different instruments.” He also mentioned plans for a musical piece titled “Arabia,” inspired by the kingdom, and a large concert with a fresh concept for the upcoming Riyadh season.
Additionally, Alalshikh presented the progress on the film “The Battle of Yarmouk (Khalid bin Al-Walid)” and the potential for Zimmer to compose its soundtrack. He noted that Zimmer had “agreed on the broad outlines” of these projects, with hopes of finalizing agreements soon.
The current national anthem, “Aash Al-Malik” (“Long Live The King”), was composed in 1947 at the request of King Abdulaziz by an Egyptian composer. The reasons behind the potential reworking of the anthem remain unclear.
As the world’s largest oil exporter and home to Islam’s holiest sites, Saudi Arabia has made strides in recent years, reopening cinemas, allowing women to drive, and welcoming its first non-Muslim tourists in an effort to reshape its image. Alalshikh has been instrumental in promoting various cultural and sporting events, including heavyweight boxing matches and concerts featuring international artists. The kingdom is also set to host the 2034 World Cup. However, critics argue that these reforms may be an attempt to mask ongoing hardline policies, including restricted women’s rights, limitations on free speech, and a high rate of executions.