Al Obaidan, who composed Qatar’s national anthem, is no more

Legendary Qatari songwriter and musician Abdulaziz Nasser Al Obaidan, who composed the country’s national anthem, died in Doha after a long battle with illness, reported Gulf Times. He was 64.

His career in music spanned some 50 years. He established the Al Adwaa troupe in Doha in 1966, at the age of 14.

Al Adwaa is considered the first theatrical and music troupe made up of young people in Qatar. It played a key role in encouraging a number of musicians and performing artistes to rise to fame in the country.

Besides, the troupe — along with Al Obaidan — played a key role in establishing the music and singing section on Qatar Radio in 1968.

Al Obaidan paid special attention to local folklore and composed a number of songs inspired by the Qatari heritage. He was also interested in Arabic classical heritage and created several songs inspired by this.

In addition, he composed music for patriotic songs, including the national anthem, written by Qatari poet Sheikh Mubarak bin Saif Al Thani. This was approved as the national anthem of the country in 1996.

Al Obaidan is also remembered for popular patriotic songs such as Allah ya omri Qatar.

Similarly, he has left a strong legacy in the world of Arab and Gulf music and composed a number of romantic, folk, religious and patriotic songs. He was, in particular, interested in the Palestinian cause and the occupied Arab territories and produced many songs on these themes, besides those on Iraq and Beirut.

Al Obaidan graduated from the Higher Institute of Arabic Music in Cairo in 1977 and occupied a number of positions related to music and performing arts at Qatar Radio and TV, and Qatar Music Academy.

Al Obaidan was awarded a number of prizes, including the State Appreciation Award in music in 2006. He was honoured by Katara - the Cultural Village Foundation for enriching Qatar’s musical heritage.

He was a member of the board of trustees of the Academy of Music in Qatar and, and represented Qatar in the membership of the Executive Council in the Arab Society of Music.

Courtesy: gulf-times.com