Fida’i: The History and Significance of the Palestinian National Anthem
By: Evan Ploeckelman / Arab America Contributing Writer
Palestine has existed alongside Israel throughout its inception. However, unlike their neighbor, Palestinians did not always have the trappings of a nation, and one notable exception was a national anthem. It was not until 1994 that Palestine finally got a national anthem, and in 1996, Palestine adopted the national anthem they still use today, Fida’i (فدائي), or “warrior”. However, the path to this national anthem was not straightforward, which makes the story all the more interesting.
History of the Palestinian National Anthem
From 1948 to 1967, Palestine actually had multiple national anthems. In the West Bank, the national anthem was As-Salamu Al-Maliki Al-Urdani or “Peace to the king of Jordan,” as Jordan was occupying the region. Similarly, in Gaza, the national anthem was Salam Affadina until 1958, and then Walla Zaman Ya Selahy, which were the national anthems of Egypt. After the 1967 war, Palestine had no official national anthem.
However, during this time, Palestine did have an unofficial national anthem, Mawtini (موطني), or My Homeland. The lyrics to this song were created by Ibrahim Tuqan, who lived in Nablus. The song was written as an anthem during the 1930 Palestinian revolt against the British Mandate. This song was the national anthem of Palestine from 1994 to 1996, and many still consider it an unofficial anthem of Palestine to this day. However, in 2004, Mawtani actually became the official anthem of Iraq. It is still the national anthem there today.
In 1996, Palestine adopted its current national anthem, Fida’i. The lyrics to this song were created by Said al Muzayin. He was born in Isdud, then fled to Gaza after the Nakba. He represented the Palestinian Liberation Organization in Saudi Arabia. It was under these circumstances that he wrote the poem to honor the Palestinians fighting for their freedom. Fida’i in the context of Palestine refers to freedom fighters. While the term fida’i was first used by Persian Assassins in the 9th century, it now refers to the Palestinians who are willing to sacrifice for their country.
Lyrics to Fida’i
The lyrics to the song focus primarily on the land of Palestine, and how the Fida’i, or freedom fighter, will fight for it. The refrain goes as such: “Bilādī, Bilādī, Bilādī yā ardī yā arḍal-judūd; Fidā’ī Fidā’ī Fidā’ī yā šaʿbī yā šaʿb al-xulūd” or, in English, “My country, my country, my country, my land, land of my ancestors; Warrior, warrior, warrior, Oh my people, people of eternity.” These lyrics highlight the most important reasons why the Fida’in (plural of Fida’i) are fighting: their land and their people.
Al Muzayin never got to see his poem, the new national anthem, performed in person. He died in 1991 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Music to Fida’i
The music to this song was composed by the famed Egyptian composer Ali Ismael. Ismael rose to fame by composing songs for Egyptian films, which became increasingly popular in the time between 1940 and 1960. In addition, he was an avid supporter of Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, and composed many patriotic songs for Egypt. For example, “Leave My Sky” was played during the Suez Crisis in the 1950s, and “Flags of Victory” was played around the time Egypt reclaimed the Sinai Peninsula from Israel. Around this time, he also wrote “Fida’i” to show patriotic support for Palestine and the Palestinians from Egypt. As its focus revolved around Palestine, it was paired with al Muzayin’s poem and chosen by the Palestinian Authority to be the national anthem of Palestine. Unfortunately, Ismael also never got to see the song played as the national anthem of Palestine, as he died in 1974 of a heart attack at the age of 51.
Symbolism of Fida’i
The current national anthem of Palestine has a strong significance to the Palestinian people. Many of them have lost land, homes, livelihoods, family, and friends due to the ongoing occupation by Israel. The lyrics of the song highlight each of these issues, and lets the people of Palestine voice their collective concerns patriotically. This national anthem serves to define the Palestinian identity as one of hardship, discrimination, martyrdom, and loss. More importantly, however, it defines the Palestinian identity as undying devotion to the land and people they hold dear. As long as Palestine continues to exist in its current state, Fada’i will continue to be an important message to the Palestinian people.
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