RBPP marks International Mother Language Day

The Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project promoted International Mother Language Day at Heybrook Primary School this week.

On Tuesday (21 February) Bangladesh marked the Language Martyrs Day, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the language movement of 1952. The day is recognised by the UN and in 1999 it declared it as “International Mother Language Day” so that all languages of the world can be celebrated on this day to enrich the diversity and cultures of society.

As a mark of respect the Bangladesh flag was raised outside the Rochdale Town Hall.

Heybrook Primary School children attended a special assembly to learn about the history behind the day and later in class they looked into heritage of different communities and learnt new words and phrases led by Keith Swift, Dr Musharraf Hussain, Sajjad Miah & Mohammed Dobir Miah.

The Children were also introduced to Kabaddi (a national sport in Bangladesh & indeed the sub-continent).

Mohammed Dobir Miah, Secretary of RBPP, said: “Language not only communicates, it defines culture, nature, history, humanity and ancestry.

“We should all be able to communicate in whatever language our mother speaks without fear or prejudice.

“Bangladesh was the only country to be liberated because of its language and since 1999 UNESCO has marked 21st February as International Mother Language Day to celebrate cultural diversity and multilingualism for which we are very pleased and honoured.

“On behalf of the Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership project we hope everyone speaks their mother tongue with pride and all the very best wishes on the occasion of Ekushey February. We were well received at Heybrook Primary School, and hope that in future we can roll it out to other schools in the borough.”