Egypt, a land of ancient civilization, commemorated International Mother Language Day with due honour and reverence. On Friday (February 21), at 9:00 am local time, Bangladesh's Ambassador to Egypt, Ms Samina Naz, led the observance by hoisting the national flag at half-mast while the national anthem played at the embassy premises. Embassy officials and staff participated in this solemn ceremony.
The main event began at 11:00 am in the embassy's conference hall. The program, moderated by Shishir Kumar Sarkar, opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran and a special prayer by Md. Ismail Hossain, seeking eternal peace for the language martyrs.
As part of the observance, messages from the Chief Advisor and the Foreign Affairs Advisor were read aloud by the embassy's Labour Counselor, Md. Ismail Hossain, and Head of Chancery, Shishir Kumar Sarkar.
A documentary titled "Julai Onirban," sent from Dhaka was screened, followed by a discussion session. During her address, Ambassador Ms Samina Naz paid heartfelt tribute to the language martyrs, including Rafik, Salam, and Jabbar, who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the dignity of the Bengali language. She acknowledged their historic contributions, which ensured the right to speak in our mother tongue.
The ambassador highlighted the significance of February 21, stating that it was not just a movement for linguistic recognition but also a catalyst for national consciousness and self-awareness. She emphasized that the spirit of the Language Movement eventually led to the Liberation War and the birth of independent Bangladesh. For Bengalis, this day remains a symbol of inspiration and sacrifice.
She further noted that International Mother Language Day is not just an occasion for Bangladesh but a global observance. In 1999, UNESCO recognized February 21 as International Mother Language Day, acknowledging the universal right to preserve and protect native languages and cultures. This recognition underscores the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide.
The ambassador also spoke about the struggles and sacrifices of the July-August uprisings, which paved the way for justice, equality, and the eradication of cultural oppression and discrimination.
She reaffirmed the government's commitment, under the leadership of the Honorable Chief Advisor, to ensure national unity, equal opportunities, and the dignity of all linguistic and cultural identities—key elements for national progress and prosperity.
She highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate Bengali into information technology and the distribution of textbooks in Braille and Indigenous languages to promote inclusive education.
She concluded by emphasizing that Bengali is spoken by approximately 250 million people worldwide, making it one of the most widely spoken languages. As expatriates, it is our responsibility to uphold the proper use of Bengali and promote its recognition on the global stage.
