Saudi Arabia
"عاش المليك" "Aash Al Maleek" (Long Live Our Beloved King)

Words by: Ibrahim Khafaji
Music by: Abdul Rahman Al-Khateeb
Adopted: 1947 (music), 1984 (lyrics)

In 1947, Saudi Arabia lacked an anthem, so, when King Abdulaziz visited Egypt that year, he asked Egyptian composer Abdul Rahman Al-Khateeb to create an anthem and "Aash Al Maleek" was created. The melody, an Arab fanfare style, is similar to those of other Arab states in the area at the time. Later (perhaps in 1950), the first set of lyrics were written for the anthem by Mohammed Talat. In 1984 King Fahd ask poet Ibrahim Al Khafaji to write new lyrics, which are the official lyrics today.