Iraq National Anthem

 

This week we are looking at Iraq’ national anthem it is titled Mawtini which in English mean My Homeland, it is a poem written by the Palestinian poet Ibrahim Tugan and is a popular patriotic song amongst the Arab people as well as being the official national anthem of Iraq.

It was adopted as the country’s anthem in 2004, the song formerly served as an unofficial anthem of Palestinians and other people of the Middle East during much of the 20th century. In 1996, Palestine formally adopted it as their official anthem. Even though it has since been superseded by something else, many Palestinians still identify strongly with it and consider it the unofficial national anthem of their country.

It has been described as a reflection of the shared experiences and struggles of Arab peoples, evoking strong emotions tied to national pride, hardship, and the aspiration for freedom. It is regarded as a symbol of resistance and a representation of the collective longing for liberation during periods of occupation and oppression. The anthem conveys emotions such as sorrow, anger, and hope, fostering a sense of renewal and solidarity among those who have endured similar adversities. Its lyrics express a deep love for the homeland, a commitment to its liberation, and a vision of a united and free nation. This message resonates widely across the Arab world, reflecting the shared struggles for independence, identity, and sovereignty.

The national anthem of Iraq between 2003 and 2004 was "Mawtini", an instrumental composition composed by Iraqi Assyrian musician Louis Zanbaka. 

Also, the "Arḍu l-Furātayni", also known as the "Land of The Two Rivers", was the national anthem of Iraq from 1981 to 2003, during the Ba'athist regime of Saddam Hussein. 

My homeland, my homeland,
Glory and beauty, sublimity and splendour
Are in your hills, are in your hills.
Life and deliverance, pleasure and hope
Are in your air, are in your air.
Will I see you, will I see you?
Safely comforted and victoriously honoured.
Safely comforted and victoriously honoured.
Will I see you on your eminence?
Reaching to the stars, reaching to the stars
My homeland, my homeland.

My homeland, my homeland,
The youth will not tire
Their goal is your independence.
Or they die, or they die.
We will drink from death, and this will not be our enemies.
Like slaves, like slaves.
We do not want, we do not want
An eternal humiliation, or a miserable life.
An eternal humiliation, or a miserable life.
We do not want to, but we will take it back.
Our storied glory, our storied glory.
My homeland, my homeland.

 

My homeland, my homeland,
The sword and the pen, not talk nor the quarrel
Are our symbols, are our symbols.
Our glory and our covenant, and a faithful duty
Moves us, moves us.
Our glory, our glory,
It is an honourable cause and a waving flag.
It is an honourable cause and a waving flag.
O, behold you, on your eminence,
Victorious over your enemies, victorious over your enemies.
My homeland, my homeland!