The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism)today announced the global release of ‘Ya Salam Ya Dubai’,a new iconic song that celebrates what makes Dubai one of the best cities in the world.

Launched on New Year’s Day as part of the 26th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), Ya Salam Ya Dubai was released as joint project between Dubai Tourism and MBC Group. The new song fuses the talents of two famed artists including Arabic music icon Rashed Al Majed and Moroccan–Swedish singer, songwriter and Multi Grammy award-winning music producer RedOne, who has worked with Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and Nicki Minaj among other successful artists.

Ya Salam Ya Dubai is a musical tribute to the ever evolving, ever captivating city of Dubai. Featured on Visit Dubai and MBC Group’s official YouTube channels, the remake merges the two hit singles by Rashed Al Majed – Dubai Kawkab Aakhar (Lyricist: Anwar Al Meshiri, Composer: Ahmad Al-Harmi), launched during the 25th edition of DSF, and Dubai Danat Al Donia (Lyricist: Aref Al Khaja, Composer: Khaled Nasser) which was released for the very first edition of DSF in 1996 – but has been brought to the present, and the latest edition of DSF, courtesy of the mixing artistry of RedOne.

The song lyrics reflect the rich history of Dubai and its transformationover the years to become a leading global tourist destination, welcoming people from all over the world with its tempting hospitality and culture. A must-visit destination for its sun, sea, sand and shopping, Dubai is the epitome of cosmopolitan living and today is home to more than 200 nationalities, uniting cultures, beliefs, and values, and serving as a beacon for tolerance and diversity.

In celebration of the all-encompassing nature of this exceptional city, Ya Salam Ya Dubai (English verse written by RedOne and Pat Devine), was created to appeal to all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities and will strike a chord with an international audience thanks to RedOne’s association with the song.

The new music video that brings the song to life is also a magnificent representation of the diversity of the city. Directed by David Zannie, it highlights Dubai’s leading position as a major tourism and entertainment hub in the region, showcasing cameos from a range of celebrities, dancers and actors. It also shines a spotlight on various landmark locations across Dubai that continue to attract tourists from around the world, such as Jumeirah Al Naseem, Madinat Jumeirah, the Historical District, Dubai Water Canal, Coca-Cola Arena, Miracle Garden, Museum of Digital Art, La Mer, Ce La Vie restaurant, Jadaf Waterfront, Brass Monkey on Bluewaters Island, The Beach by Meraas and Dubai Creek Harbour.

Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “With Ya Salam Ya Dubai, we can truly celebrate how far Dubai has come to be a leading international destination recognised around the world. In a relatively short time period, the city has innovated and adapted to changing tourism trends and the evolving global travel industry, achieving countless milestones, launching world-class landmarks and hosting successful events that continue to attract global attention and visitation. Dubai continues to defy expectations and we are very fortunate to have had a decisive leadership who leveraged a swift response to COVID-19 that allows the city to continue welcoming visitors from around the world safely into the new year.”

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “Dubai has cemented itself as a hub for global events and festivals thanks in part to Dubai Shopping Festival, a flagship event of the city’s ever evolving retail calendar which features 15 annual festival campaigns today. Throughout the 26 years of DSF, we have remained committed to bringing exciting promotions, activations and experiences to residents and visitors, leaving them in awe, which in turn has established Dubai as the shopping and entertainment hub of the world. Ya Salam Ya Dubai is a celebration of the past, present and future of Dubai. We are proud to have a song that encompasses all the elements Dubai is admired for and it couldn’t be more timely to release this to the world: on New Year’s Day and as part of Dubai’s biggest retail and entertainment event, DSF.”

Commenting on the song, Rashed Al Majed said: “I am honored to be part of the Dubai Shopping Festival’s (DSF) story since its inception 26 years ago and today, I am back to celebrate Dubai, a magnificent city, which has become a regional hub for tourists from around the world. Collaborating with RedOne on this project has been exciting, as we bring to life two great tracks I presented to Dubai over the years, and we are pleased to launch it during the 26th edition of DSF.”

RedOne said: “It was a pleasure to be asked by Dubai Tourism to remake these legendary songs ‘Dubai Danat Al Donia’ and ‘Dubai Kawkab Aakhar’ with the legendary artist, Rashed Al Majed. I am very pleased with the outcome and can’t wait for people to experience it.”

As Ya Salam Ya Dubai is introduced to Dubai and the world, the Dubai Shopping Festival continues celebrating its greatest edition yet until 30 January, 2021, highlighting how the city and the event have grown and developed over the last 26 years into a regional and global favourite retail destination.

‘Ya Salam Ya Dubai’ will be distributed by Platinum Records.