: ޤައުމީ ސަލާމް, National Salute) is the current national anthem
of the Maldives
. The lyrics
were written by Muhammad Jameel Didi
in 1948, and the melody
was composed by Sri Lankan maestro Pandit Wannakuwattawaduge Don Amaradeva
Qaumii Salaam is a proud declaration of national unity, the country's Islamic
faith, the victory of historic battles and an homage
to the heroes who fell defending the nation. It also wishes further development
on the country, while paying respect to the leaders who had served her.
Until 1948, a melody without lyrics called the 'Salaamathi' was performed by a royal band on state occasions at the 'Etherekoilu', the residence of the Sultan
. Soon after it was decided that the Salaamathi needed lyrics accompanied by a new melody. The lyrics were written by a young poet
and later chief justice
, Mohamed Jameel Didi.
Jameel Didi wrote the words for the new Salaamathi bearing in mind the influence of Urdu
poetry during the time, closely imitating its style and also furnishing his work with words borrowed from Arabic
. Afterwards, Jameel Didi began looking for a tune to accompany his poem when he heard the noon chime
(Auld Lang Syne
) of his uncle's clock. The tune was adopted to the lyrics and the new Salaamathi was complete.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Maldivians became more aware of the importance of a national anthem and in 1972, shortly before the Maldives was visited by Queen Elizabeth II of the United......