Learn the words and the story behind the UAE national anthem
From school assemblies to major national celebrations, the UAE national anthem is one most residents will recognise instantly. But how many of us actually know the words by heart? If you’ve ever wanted to learn, we’ve got the lyrics written in English to help you follow along.
PS. Read until the end to take a look at the story behind how the anthem came together.
English lyrics of Ishy Bilady
Ishhi Biladi Asha tihaadu imaaratinah
Ishti Lishabin
Dinu hul islamu Hadhyu Ul Qura`anu
Hassanthuk Bismillah Ya Watan
Biladi Biladi Biladi Biladi
Hamakil Ila Hushuroorazaman
Aqsamna an nabani anaamal
naamal nukhlis naamal nukhlis
Mahima Ashna Nukhlis nukhlis
daamal amaanu wa aashal alam ya imaaratinah
Ramzul Arooba Kullu na nafdeeqi
Biddi manarweeqi
Nafdeeqa Bil arwah ya Watan
English translation of Ishy Bilady
Long live my country; the unity of our Emirates lives
You have lived for a nation
Whose religion is Islam and guide is Quran
I made you stronger in God’s name, oh homeland
My country, my country, my country, my country
God has protected you from the evils of the time
We have sworn to build and work
Work sincerely, work sincerely
As long as we live, we will be sincere, sincere,
The safety has lasted and the flag has lived, oh our Emirates
The Symbol of Arabism
We all sacrifice for you; we supply you with our blood
We sacrifice for you; we supply you with our blood
We sacrifice you with our souls, oh homeland
Source: protocol.dubai.ae
*Displaying your UAE flag? These are the laws you need to follow*
Who wrote the words to Ishy Bilady?
The UAE’s national anthem, Ishy Bilady, was originally conceived as an instrumental in 1971.
Nearly 15 years later, in 1986, Dr Aref Al Sheikh was given the task to write the words to the UAE’s national anthem.
He explained, “From the declaration of the Union in 1971 until 1986, the Emirates did not have a national anthem, even though the country’s constitution stipulates the necessity of allocating an anthem alongside the flag and the national anthem (musical piece).”
The melody was composed by the Egyptian musician Saad Abdel Wahab, who composed anthems for several Arab countries. Incorporating words to the national anthem was an idea of His Excellency Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, who was the acting minister of education in 1986. He noticed that children in the morning raised the UAE flag in silence. He met with officials in the Supreme Committee in the ministry and spoke with them about his desire to write lyrics for the anthem and pointed out that a poet should write the anthem.
Dr Aref Al Sheikh was chosen because he worked in the ministry at the time, and he had already made contributions to the development of a set of school anthems. According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), he explained that he was given the music on a tape and was tasked with writing the lyrics of the anthem in three days.
He explained his struggles with trying to get a single word down even after listening to the tune for more than 60 times. He said, “I am a poet and I write, but in this situation, I found myself unable to write. If I were asked to write patriotic words, I might do so, but to write to a tune, I found that to be extremely difficult.”
In another interview, he said, “This anthem had to speak of the Union, of a young, modern nation. I am so proud of the UAE, but how do you put that pride into words?”
He added that after repeatedly listening to the melody, he was inspired to write the first two words – Ishhi Biladi (Long live my country). After a little encouragement from his wife, he explained the words continued to flow, one after the other.
When the deadline came, he handed over the tape to the ministry’s office and ‘a few hours later he called me himself and told me the words fit perfectly. We now have a national anthem.’ He added, two days later when he stepped out of his house, he heard students singing the national anthem in their schools.
In the Instagram post, he said, ‘This anthem is like a prayer, like saying ‘Oh Lord, protect us’.
He added, ‘Everyone who lives in the UAE is part of this anthem. Together, they form the people of the United Arab Emirates.’
Images: Getty Images
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
