'Zayed Majedha': Najwa Karam releases rousing tribute to the UAE and Sheikh Zayed

The song’s release comes ahead of Karam’s concert at Dubai World Trade Centre this weekend

Lebanese singer Najwa Karam will perform in Dubai this weekend. Courtesy Al Ittihad

Lebanese singer Najwa Karam has released a rousing tribute to the UAE and its leaders.

Titled Zayed Majedha (Zayed is its Glory), the song praises Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, who "built a homeland with hearts not stones".

The song then bursts into an anthemic chorus, telling the country’s residents and citizens to “raise your head above the wind. Let the whole world shout: My Emirates!”

The song’s video, meanwhile, is comprised of archival footage featuring Sheikh Zayed, who died in 2004, as well as more recent clips of the country’s landmarks, such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s Museum of the Future.

A rippling mizmar melody then momentarily transports listeners to Lebanon. The clip shows the country’s lush landscape and its historic sites as Karam sings how she, along with other Lebanese nationals, have come “from the most beautiful country in the universe” to make the UAE their second home.

Karam goes on to praise the country’s leaders, including Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The music video shows footage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed as he inspects a sprawling formation of the country’s armed forces from the open back of an armoured vehicle.

“Bin Zayed, you shook the universe and became a reference of wisdom to the world,” Karam sings before addressing Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid: “Bin Rashid, raise your towers to the stars. Glory kneels on your steps. Your land is the land of miracles.”

“Emirates, know that your name is in the book of history and tomorrow you’ll see you’ve raced to Mars,” Karam sings before a choir concludes the song with the chorus.

Composed by Lebanese maestro Antoine El Shaak, the song's release comes ahead of Karam's concert at Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday, January 15. The Atchana singer and Arabs Got Talent judge will be performing alongside Iraqi favourite Majid Almohandis.