National anthem of Bahrain

The anthem was originally composed in 1942 to be played at official events such as receptions, making Bahrain one of the first Arab countries to adopt a national anthem. The leaders of the police band made many modifications and additions to the music over the years, most significantly in 1972, a year after Bahrain's independence from the United Kingdom, when it was extended by playing it twice.^[1]

In 1985, former leader of the police band Colonel Mohamed Sudqi Ayyash wrote lyrics for the anthem, which were used until 2002. That year, with the emergence of the National Action Charter and a constitutional amendments referendum that declared the country's ruler Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifah a king and the country a kingdom, the lyrics were revised by Minister of the Royal Court Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. Bahraini composer and singer Ahmed Aljumairi was directed by the government to re-arrange the national anthem and include a fanfare recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.^[1] Mr. Ahmed Aljumairi sang the national anthem with the chorus in that recording which became the official version. Band leader Major General Mubarak Najm Al-Najm meanwhile made a military band version arrangement that is used by the police.