Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman issued the following statement on 20th February:-
“21st February is ‘International Mother Language and the Great Martyrs’ Day’. In 1952, the youth, students and the general of this country organized a movement against the then ruling class to establish Bengali as the state language. On that day, the law and order forces of the state opened indiscriminate fire on the agiators to suppress the movement. Many people, including students of Dhaka University, the country’s highest educational institution, and workers lost their lives in the firing. The people of the country remember them with respect due to their sacrifices for the Bengali language. I pray to Almighty Allah seeking forgiveness for those souls.
21st February has been granted the status of International Mother Language Day. This is an international recognition of the language martyrs. In order to establish the Bengali language in its rightful place, the Bengali language must be protected from anti-national education and cultural aggression by ensuring its use at all levels of the country. Only then, the dreams of the martyrs of the language movement will come true.
The countrymen are going to celebrate Language Day today at a time when the country has just been freed from fascism. The people of Bangladesh have started to truly taste freedom. Currently, efforts are being made to ensure democracy, rule of law, human rights, voting rights and freedom of expression in the country. The people of the country are able to move around while maintaining their lives, property and honor; although it has not yet been possible to ensure 100% facilities for the citizens. In such a situation, the movement and struggle must continue to ensure all basic human rights including the right to vote for the citizens through united efforts.
"I extend a heartfelt appeal to all branches of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the countrymen to observe the 'International Mother Language and Great Martyrs' Day' on February 21 through discussions, meetings and prayer programs."
