Hans Zimmer reimagines Saudi Arabia’s national anthem.

New interpretation of Saudi Arabia’s anthem

Gladiator and Dune composer Hans Zimmer has been tasked with creating a fresh rendition of the national anthem of Saudi Arabia.

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Announcement by entertainment department chairman

The chairman of the general entertainment department in Saudi Arabia, Turki Alalshikh, announced the collaboration via X (formerly Twitter) before Zimmer’s live performance in Er-Riyad on January 24. He posted a photo with Zimmer, revealing that the title of the composition would be simply “Arabia.”

In a translation from Arabic, Alalshikh stated: “Today I met someone regarded as one of the greatest musicians of our time … the legendary Hans Zimmer.”

“We discussed many future projects that I hope will soon come to fruition, including a reimagining of the Saudi anthem using various instruments, and the development of a musical piece called ‘Arabia,’ inspired by my beloved country, along with planning a large concert with a new concept for the Er-Riyad season in the coming years.”

القيت اليو happen pic.twitter.com/koi26T4RL

– Turks of the Alales (@turki_ALALALSHIKH) January 20, 2025

Collaboration on film and accolades

Alalshikh also mentioned that Zimmer might participate in the production of the Saudi film Battle of Yarmuk, adding that they “agreed broadly on all these projects” and he hoped to reach a final agreement soon.

Zimmer is one of the most renowned film composers, having scored over 150 films, including The Dark Knight Trilogy, Interstellar, and Dunkirk for director Christopher Nolan, along with classic animated films like The Lion King. He has won two Oscars and four Grammys, and is celebrated for reinventing film music over the decades.

Recently, Dune: Part Two director Denis Villeneuve suggested that Zimmer’s score deserves Oscar consideration after being previously overlooked. The composer also contributed music to the video game Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.