The "National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania" () was the national anthem of Mauritania between 1960 and 2017.
History The anthem's lyrics are taken from a poem written in the late 18th century by Baba Ould Cheikh, while the melody was arranged by Russian-French composer Tolia Nikiprowetzky. It was adopted upon independence from France in 1960. Its unusual and highly complex rhythm makes it almost impossible to sing. For this reason, it is often erroneously listed as wordless.
It was replaced by the current national anthem on 28 November 2017 after the Mauritanian constitutional referendum of 2017.
Lyrics Arabic originalTransliterationIPA transcriptionEnglish translationBe a helper for God, and censure what is forbidden And turn with the law which He wants you to follow Hold no one to be useful or harmful, except for Him And walk the path of the chosen one and die while you are on it!
For what was sufficient for the first of us, is sufficient for the last one, too And leave those people who do evil things with respect to God They misrepresented Him by making Him similar, and made all kinds of excuses They made bold claims and blackened notebooks
They let the nomads and the sedentary people both undergo bitter experiences And the great sins of their innovations bequeathed small Judge them by their appearances, because you have no power over their inner conscience And just in case a disputant calls you to dispute about their claims Do not, then, dispute on them, except by way of an external dispute
Notes
References
External links Audio of the national anthem of Mauritania, with information and lyrics