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Hans Zimmer might ‘redistribute’ Saudi Arabia’s national anthem

Hans Zimmer might ‘redistribute’ Saudi Arabia’s national anthem

The composer met the kingdom's entertainment chairperson and discussed a number of potential projects.
23 Jan, 2025

Renowned German music composer Hans Zimmer might reimagine Saudi Arabia’s national anthem, the kingdom’s entertainment chairperson Turki Alalshikh said on X (formerly Twitter).

The Oscar-winning composer met with Alalshikh, the chairman of the country’s General Entertainment Authority, in Riyadh on the sidelines of the Joy Awards, The New Arab reported.

The two also discussed the possibility of Zimmer participating in composing the soundtrack for the movie about the Battle of Yarmouk. Zimmer has been behind the soundtracks for massive films, such as Gladiator, Interstellar, Lion King, Dune and The Dark Knight Rises, to name a few.

“Today I met someone who is considered one of the greatest musicians of our time,” Alalshikh wrote on Monday.

’We discussed many future projects that I hope will see the light of day soon, including redistributing the Saudi national anthem with different instruments.“

“I also presented [Zimmer the latest] on the Battle of Yarmouk film, and the possibility of him participating in composing the soundtrack to it,” he added.

Alalshikh, who serves as an adviser to the royal court, said he was also seeking to recruit Zimmer to participate in composing the score of a musical project based on the kingdom called Arabia.

“We agreed on the broad outlines of all these projects, and I hope we will reach a final agreement on them,” Alalshikh said.

Comments

Ahmed Jan 23, 2025 01:05pm
Every nation should get rid of the national anthem. It adds absolutely no value whatsoever. Saudis need better advisors. In order to get to the next stage of development they need to invest in sustainable growth endeavors. Like STEM education. Not this or Neom
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Laila Jan 23, 2025 01:40pm
Saudi Arabia has been busy strategically reimagining and profiling itself away from the conservative and closed image to embracing modernity, moderate values and opening up. From increasing business to embracing fashion, arts, international star studded concerts, to female empowerment (Saudi female models are walking international designer runaways, traveling, content creating, they are businesswomen, international athletes etc) and erasing gender segregation and slowly centuries old man made patriarchy too (which Pakistanis still think is islamic and women rights is western). They even forged diplomatic relations with Israel, like Morocco, Qatar etc. We will see and are seeing a rise of the Middle East. From increase focus on tourism, education, global exchange (not including Pakistan of course as we are still stuck on hinduana culture and our own brand of fabricated islam). Wonder what this means for Pakistan. Our ruling mullahs must be choking on their chain and parathas over the increased behayahi, fahashi and immorality taking place in KSA and how can we in this digital age avoid spill over affect when Pakistan always looked up to KSA.
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Love S A Jan 23, 2025 03:15pm
Simply great and beautiful idea, Saudi Arabia blessed with endless opportunities of all kind of wealth, my only advice for them to use this wealth wisely instead of lavishly and help poor countries and poor people around the world.
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Ahmed Jan 23, 2025 06:41pm
@Laila Who decides what values are moderate and what counts as feemale empowerment. Saudis are choosing western values and that's all. I wonder why you see this as progress. Western values and lifestyle isn't progress. Please do write about what real Islam is.
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