UAE National Day 2025: Indian musician AR Rahman composes special song for Eid Al Etihad

When music maestro AR Rahman talks about a new project, his focus is often on sound, technique, or emotion. But his latest creation, Jamal Al Etihad, takes a different approach.

He calls it a therapy of smile. "It's a simple, joyful tribute to the UAE and the values that bring the country together," said Rahman in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times. 

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Rahman said the idea for the song began in 2023, when Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman of Burjeel Holdings, wanted to create a musical gift for the UAE. “He came to Chennai to listen to the early version,” said Rahman. “We started the song 2 years ago, but because of what was happening around the world, we decided to postpone the release.”

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Jamal Al Etihad is also a rare English composition for Rahman. “It’s a global song in English for the UAE,” he explained. “The idea was to bring together the people who make this country what it is — workers, entrepreneurs, royalty, expats. Everyone is working towards something big for the UAE, and the pace at which this nation moves is very inspiring.”

Rahman described the music as a “UAE-born creation” shaped by more than one attempt. “I worked on two to three ideas before finalising this one,” he said. “Hopefully, people will like it.”

He mentioned that one of the hidden details in the track is the mood it creates. “It’s a vibe. Something you can enjoy in the car, in the desert, anywhere you feel like,” he said. “It’s about being together, working together for greatness, and giving joy to each other.”

'This is for hope'

When asked how different it feels to compose for a nation instead of cinema, Rahman said the focus changes completely. “This is for hope,” he said. “And it’s an English song and I rarely do English songs.”

For him, the UAE carries a single, clear emotion. “If the UAE were a melody, it would be happiness,” he said.

The Oscar winner said he enjoyed the creative journey as much as the final song. “I had fun composing it and filming it,” he said.

The song will be unveiled on Saturday (November 29), at 9.30pm during the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi. The performance, presented by Burjeel Holdings, will take place at the Layali Al Wathba Theatre. Entry is free for all festival ticket holders, and the doors will open at 7pm. A three-minute firework display at 10pm will add to the celebration, making it one of the standout moments of the evening.

As the country moves toward its 54th National Day, Jamal Al Etihad arrives as a musical reminder of unity, generosity, and the joyful spirit that defines the country. 

SM Ayaz Zakir

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ayaz@khaleejtimes.com

SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.