Bangladesh missions in the UAE yesterday observed the 52nd anniversary of Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day.
In Abu Dhabi, the Bangladeshi ambassador Mirza Shamsuzzaman lowered the national flag at half-mast at the embassy premises at 9.30am.
This was followed by a discussion on the significance of the day. It was attended by a cross-section of Bangladeshis, including organisations such as Bangladesh Biman, Janata Bank, SKBZ Bangladesh Islamia School and other socio-cultural organisations.
Shamsuzzaman recalled the contributions made by those who fought for the dignity of the Bengali language in 1952.
He urged Bangladeshi children to master the language so that they can align themselves with the literature and cultural heritage. Messages by the Bangladeshi President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs were also read out on the occasion. There was also an essay competition.
Speaking to Gulf News, Salauddin Ahmed, an expat, said all Bangladeshis were proud of their mother tongue. "It is one of the richest languages in the world. Nowhere in the world have people laid down their lives to uphold the dignity of a language as was done in Bangladesh."
Remembering the language martyrs
* At 3.10 pm on February 21, 1952, police near the Medical College Barracks in Dhaka opened fire on a groups of students defying the imposition of Section 144. Four university students were killed.
* Since then, Bengali-speaking people observe the occasion as Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day.
Gulf News
