Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued the following statement on 19 February 2020 urging the countrymen to observe ‘International Mother Language and Historic Language Martyr’s Day’ on 21st February.

“‘International Mother Language and Historic Language Martyr’s Day’ is going to be observed on 21st February. On this day of 1952, the youth and the student communities agitated movement to establish Bengali as the state language. But the law enforcers had been directed on that day to open fire against the demonstrators. Dhaka University students and several others lost their lives in those incidents. The nation will remember those martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for establishing Bengali as state language. I am praying seeking salvation for the departed souls. 21st February is being recognized as the International Mother Language Day. It is an international recognition of the language movement and also for the language heroes.

To establish Bengali language with due fervor and honor, this language must be protected from anti-national education and cultural aggression. Only then, the dream and sacrifice of the language heroes will be fruitful and effective.

I am urging all wings and branch organizations of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the fellow countrymen to observe ‘International Mother Language and Historic Language Martyr’s Day’ on 21st February with due respect and fervor.”