A new musical tribute celebrating Qatar’s identity and creative ambition was unveiled on one of the Arab world’s biggest sporting stages as ‘Nabd Qatar’ premiered during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ final at Lusail Stadium.
Okay News reports that the song was revealed by Media City Qatar in front of national leaders, senior government officials, visiting dignitaries and tens of thousands of football fans who gathered for the final match on Qatar National Day.
The debut formed the centrepiece of this year’s ‘Qatar SoundBeat’ campaign, turning the stadium into a shared moment of cultural celebration for audiences across the Middle East and North Africa.
Composed by acclaimed regional musician Omar Rahbany and produced by Rahbani 3.0, one of Media City Qatar’s licensed companies, the premiere featured a synchronized light display that transformed Lusail Stadium into a canvas of sound and colour.
The composition was performed live by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing together 68 musicians and 30 instruments in a sweeping orchestral arrangement.
Drawing from the nation’s defining sounds, ‘Nabd Qatar’ opens with Ardha sword dance chants written by H.E. Mr. Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali and flows through sonic elements inspired by desert winds, shifting dunes, falcon flight, the gallop of an Arabian horse, the movement of the Qatari flag and the rhythm of a heartbeat. The work unfolds across three eras of sound, Tradition, Classical and Modernity, reflecting a country rooted in heritage while shaping a forward-looking creative identity.
The lyrics were written by Abdullah Khaled Abdulquddus and were shaped by thousands of public contributions gathered during Media City Qatar’s Guinness World Record-setting ‘Qatar ArtBeat’ campaign for Qatar National Day 2024. Those collective words were transformed into a musical expression of unity and shared national identity. The storytelling continued through an accompanying music video directed by filmmaker Karim Rahbani, released across Media City Qatar’s social platforms to reach audiences inside and outside Qatar.
Speaking at the unveiling, H.E. Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, Chairman of Media City Qatar, said: “‘Qatar SoundBeat’ turns our nation’s raw sounds into a single piece unveiled on the international stage of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ final before more than 88,000 spectators from across the Arab world. Media City Qatar used this moment to send a clear message to the region’s creative community: The future of Arab media is being shaped here. It calls every creator in our region to look to Qatar as a place where new ideas can grow. This is ‘Where Next is Made.’ As we mark Qatar National Day, we continue to support Qatar National Vision 2030 by building a media industry that honors our heritage and prepares us for a creative future.”
Rahbany described the project as both a technical and emotional undertaking. “Media City Qatar entrusted us with creating a musical work that could carry the weight of the nation’s story. Bringing this composition to life required the collective effort of dozens of music technicians, instruments and disciplines, united to create something far greater than its parts. Every detail was crafted with intention, down to phonetic elements like ‘Wa-tan’ and ‘Na-bd Qa-tar’ to mirror the cadence of a heartbeat. The music video extends this, using Qatar’s landscapes and heritage as visual echoes of the sound. Giving form to a nation’s story through melody, rhythm and emotion is among the highest honors an artist can receive,” he said.
Dr. Nasser Sahim, Deputy Executive Director of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, said performing the piece was a significant moment for the ensemble. “Performing ‘Nabd Qatar’ was an honor for the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. A work of this scale demands precision, unity and deep understanding, and our musicians approached it with a thoughtful commitment to excellence in every note. Bringing this composition to life alongside Media City Qatar reflects our commitment to contributing to the country’s creative vision and sharing Qatar’s story through music.”
Media City Qatar said the project reflects its broader mission to strengthen the country’s media and creative ecosystem, which now hosts more than 300 licensed companies spanning media, content creation, gaming and digital innovation. Through initiatives such as ‘Qatar SoundBeat’, the organisation continues to support a growing creative economy and global storytelling rooted in Qatar.
‘Nabd Qatar’ is now available on major streaming platforms including YouTube, Spotify and Anghami, allowing audiences worldwide to experience the sound and spirit of Qatar beyond the stadium.
