The Embassy of Bangladesh in Japanese capital Tokyo observed the Shaheed Dibash and International Mother Language Day on Tuesday with due respect, solemnity and enthusiasm.
The day began with offering of wreaths at the altar of a makeshift Shaheed Minar located on the Embassy premises at dawn.
Expatriate Bangladeshis and invited Japanese friends of Bangladesh along with Embassy officials attended the programme.
Ambassador Shahabuddin Ahmed hoisted the national flag at half-mast along with rendition of national anthem at the Embassy premises.
One minute of silence was observed in memory of the Language Martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to establish the right of mother tongue, Bangla, in 1952.
Later, the programme resumed indoors with offering special prayers (munajat) for the salvation of the souls of the Language Martyrs and Martyrs of Liberation War.
Prayers were also offered for the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members, for the wellbeing of the expatriate Bangladeshi community and for peace and prosperity of the country.
The messages by the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Director-General of UNESCO issued on the occasion of “Shaheed Dibash" and the “International Mother Language Day” were read out by Embassy officials.
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Ambassador Shahabuddin paid solemn tribute to the Language Martyrs Salam, Barkat, Rafique, Jabbar and many more unknown heroes for their supreme sacrifices for which they attained the right to use mother tongue.
He paid profound respect and gratitude to Bangabandhu, who emerged as a leader through 1952 to 1971 and gave an independent country where they can speak freely in Bangla.
The Ambassador also remembered all his family members with deep respect, including Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib, who embraced martyrdom on the fateful night of 15 August 1975. He also paid his profound respect to four national leaders, 30 lakh freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and two lakh women who were raped during the liberation war of Bangladesh.
The Ambassador said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a vital role in shaping the “language movement’’ of 1952 as a young leader.
In his efforts to uphold the mother tongue Bangla, in his first appearance at the General Assembly of the United Nations, Bangabandhu delivered his speech in Bangla in 1974.
A discussion session was then held with the participation of a significant number of Bangladesh community members and Japanese friends.
Ambassador Masato Watanabe, President, Japan-Bangladesh Society (JBS) shared his experience in Bangladesh and expressed his commitment to strengthen the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan through cultural exchange.
Professor Masaaki Ohashi, Osamu Hayakawa and other members of JBS were present.
A documentary titled “Bangabandhu and the Language Movement” and another titled “My Mother Tongue” outlining the history and significance of the day and cultural aspect of Bangladesh were screened.