Algeria
قسما
Kassaman
The Pledge
1955
1963
Moufdi Zakaria
Mohamed Fawzi
⚔ Battle / War 🗽 Independence 🕊 Freedom |
Context
Written in 1955 by poet Moufdi Zakaria while imprisoned by French colonial authorities. He reportedly wrote the lyrics on his prison cell wall in his own blood. The anthem was adopted upon Algeria's independence in 1962, reflecting the ferocity of the eight-year war of liberation against France.
Lyrics
قَسَمًا بِالنَّازِلَاتِ الْمَاحِقَاتِ
وَالدِّمَاءِ الزَّاكِيَاتِ الطَّاهِرَاتِ
وَالْبُنُودِ اللَّامِعَاتِ الْخَافِقَاتِ
فِي الْجِبَالِ الشَّامِخَاتِ الشَّاهِقَاتِ
نَحْنُ ثُرْنَا فَحَيَاةٌ أَوْ مَمَاتٌ
وَعَقَدْنَا الْعَزْمَ أَنْ تَحْيَا الْجَزَائِرُ
فَاشْهَدُوا... فَاشْهَدُوا... فَاشْهَدُوا...
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Interesting facts
- • Poet Moufdi Zakaria reportedly wrote the initial draft of the lyrics on his prison cell walls using his own blood while held by French colonial forces
- • The anthem is considered one of the most militant in the world, with its entire text focused on armed resistance and the oath to fight
- • Egyptian composer Mohamed Fawzi composed the music, reflecting the pan-Arab solidarity during Algeria's independence struggle