Dhaka 22 February 2018 (19 February 2018, The Hague): Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh H.E. Md. Shahidul Haque laid the foundation stone for construction of Shaheed Minar at the Zuiderpark in The Hague on 19 February 2018. International Mother Language Day is being observed on 21st February as per historic language movement for Bangla in 1952. The Embassy of Bangladesh, The Hague has been working for years to disseminate the message of humanity and multilingualism encouraged by the spirit of liberation. As a result of arduous and sustained effort of the Embassy, The Hague municipality agreed to approve our demand for a permanent language monument in The Hague Construction of the monument is long time desire of Bangladesh residents living in the Netherlands as well as in the Europe.

As a result of consistent effort of the Embassy, in October 2017 The Hague Municipality authority allocated a land in Zuiderpark- the heritage park of The Hague. At present, the construction is at designing stage. A large number of non-resident Bangladeshis, who arrived, braved rain and chilly wintery morning, on a working day, from different parts of the Netherlands and other parts of Europe to join the programme. Our NRBs were joined by students, Embassy officials, Executives of Municipal authority, local residents and other well wishers. A minute of silence was observed for eternal peace of the martyrs of language movement in 1952 in Bangladesh.

In his speech, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh paid tribute to the language martyrs, he expressed gratitude to The Hague municipal authority for allocating land for construction of Shaheed Minar and highlighted the importance of preservation of all mother languages. He also mentioned about contribution of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in our glorious liberation war and to build the nation as a leader. He expressed satisfaction that the glorious history of language movement of Bangladesh is now well established in international arena.

H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal in his remarks requested the NRBs to extend their cooperation for maintenance of Shaheed Minar after construction. He urged all to get united imbued with the spirit of liberation as he recalled how we, as a nation, earned our independence under the leadership of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman where sacrifices of our martyrs on 21 February have been a constant source of inspiration.

Hon’ble Deputy Mayor of The Hague H.E. Rabin Baldewsingh stated in his speech that language monument is based on movement for Bangla language but this monument depicts all languages of the world. The Hague Municipal authority is also happy to be part of this historic event.

Despite of the inclement weather over 100 people joined the programme to show their love and respect to the immortal 21st February. The NRBs were delighted that they would also observe 21st February as it has been observing in Bangladesh.

In addition to ceremonies on the 21 February 2018, the Embassy will also host a day long cultural event on 24 February 2018 in a local venue involving about seven others Embassy to celebrate the International Mother Language Day and our very own Immortal Ekushe.