45-765: Shaheed Minar ( lit. ' Martyrs' Monument ' ) may refer to: Bangladesh [ edit ] Shaheed Minar, Dhaka , dedicated to those killed during the 1952 Bengali Language Movement Shaheed Minar, at the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute Shaheed Minar, at the University of Rajshahi Shahid Minar, at the Patuakhali Science and Technology University India [ edit ] Shaheed Minar, Kolkata , dedicated to Indian freedom fighters Topics referred to by
90-413: A decision was taken to build a memorial adjacent to DMCH. The planning started at midnight on 22 February, and the work started the next day. This Minar was sponsored by Pearu Sardar , one of the old Dhaka panchayet sardars, when some of the students asked his help at midnight of 22 February, to contribute the raw materials needed to build the monument. Although curfew was in place, students started building
135-485: A divine look. The fence on both sides is painted with lines from poems of legendary poets in iron letters. As the visitors enter the monument they will find two statues of the patriots who sacrificed their lives in that heinous police firing of 1952. The marble floor was designed to reveal the moving shadows of the columns. The basement of the Shaheed Minar also included a 1,500-square-foot (140 m ) mural representing
180-472: A formal proposal was submitted to UNESCO by the Government of Bangladesh . The process of shepherding the proposal through UNESCO's regulatory system was undertaken by Syed Muazzem Ali , then Bangladesh ambassador to France and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, and Tozammel Tony Huq , his predecessor, who was then a Special Adviser to UNESCO Secretary General Federico Mayor . Finally on 17 November 1999,
225-633: A long struggle, Bengali gained official status in Pakistan (with Urdu ) in 1956. To commemorate the dead, the Shaheed Minar was designed and built by Bangladeshi sculptors Hamidur Rahman in collaboration with Novera Ahmed . Construction was delayed by martial law , but the monument was finally completed in 1963, and stood until the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, when it was demolished completely during Operation Searchlight . After Bangladesh gained independence later that year, it
270-604: A lot of controversy about them. In 2014, a Shaheed Minar was constructed at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology . It was criticized for being different from the original design of the Central Shaheed Minar. For the same reason, the Shaheed Minars of various districts including Jagannath University have given rise to criticism. As a result of all this, on 14 June 2022, the High Court issued
315-400: A new Shaheed Minar (Monument of Martyrs) was constructed in 1954 at the same place, to commemorate the protesters who lost their lives. This minar was inaugurated by the then Professor of Dhaka University and the pioneer and most prominent cultural and literary personality Natyaguru Nurul Momen . Work on a larger monument designed by the architect Hamidur Rahman began in 1957 with the support of
360-478: A rule for the formulation of policies for the construction of Shaheed Minar. 23°43′38″N 90°23′48″E / 23.72722°N 90.39667°E / 23.72722; 90.39667 International Mother Language Day International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism . First announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999, it
405-675: Is awarded annually on IMLD by the Linguapax Institute in Barcelona . The prize recognizes outstanding achievement in the preservation of linguistic diversity, the revitalization of linguistic communities and the promotion of multilingualism . The annual Ekushey Heritage Award, introduced in 2014 by the Bangladesh Heritage and Ethnic Society of Alberta (BHESA), recognizes outstanding achievement in fields such as education, social work and community service. The award
450-774: Is celebrated in Chile , Russia , the Philippines , Egypt and Canada . Bangladeshis celebrate International Mother Language Day by placing flowers at the Martyrs' Monument and its replicas. A public holiday in the country since 1953, it is also known as Shohid Dibôsh (Martyr Day). On 17 November 1999, the UNESCO General Conference recognized 21 February as International Mother Language Day. Bangladeshis organize social gatherings honoring their language and culture, hold literary competitions, draw alpana on
495-680: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Shaheed Minar, Dhaka The Shaheed Minar ( Bengali : শহীদ মিনার romanised : 'Shohid Minar' lit. ' The Martyr Tower ' ) is a national monument in Dhaka , Bangladesh , established to commemorate those killed during the Bengali Language Movement demonstrations of 1952 in then East Pakistan . On 21 and 22 February 1952, students from Dhaka University and Dhaka Medical College and political activists were killed when
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#1732775879719540-1090: The Senate . In March 2022, Ken Hardie Sponsored Bill S-214 in the House of Commons , and it passed into law on 15 June 2022. As part of Digital India initiative, digitized content will be made available in the country's 22 scheduled languages and extended to India's other 234 recognized languages. Digitization began in June 2016 through the Bharatavani Project at the Central Institute of Indian Languages in Mysore , and by February 2017 content in 60 Indian languages had been made available free of charge. The Mother Tongue Film Festival in Washington, D.C., has been held since 2017 to coincide with Mother Languages Day. A replica of Dhaka's Shaheed Minar
585-668: The United Front government. Following the formation of the provincial government by the United Front in April 1954, the anniversary of 21 February was declared a holiday and it became possible to construct the new monument. A foundation stone was laid in 1956, and a government committee chaired by University of Dhaka Vice-Chancellor Dr Mahmud Husain and including the principal of the Fine College of Arts, Zainul Abedin ,
630-514: The 30th General Assembly of UNESCO unanimously resolved that "21st February be proclaimed International Mother Language Day throughout the world to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on this very day in 1952." UNESCO chooses a theme for each International Mother Language Day, and sponsors related events at its Paris headquarters. In 2008, the International Year of Languages began on International Mother Language Day. It
675-491: The Central Shaheed Minar epitomises efforts to represent the spirit of nationalism and also highlight the importance of the Bengali language in the social and cultural progress of the country. As a result, the Shaheed Minar has a very significant place in the social and cultural mechanism of Bangladesh. At present, all national, mourning, cultural and other activities held each year, regarding 21 February, have been centred on
720-568: The Dhaka University area. It is adjacent to the Mathematics Department of Dhaka University. The first Shaheed Minar was built immediately after the events of 21–22 February 1952. According to Dr. Sayeed Haider the main planner and the designer of the first Shaheed Minar, the decision to build it was first made by the students of Dhaka Medical College. Shaheed Minar is situated near Dhaka Medical College Hospital and in
765-480: The Dhaka University area. It is adjacent to the Mathematics department of Dhaka University. It is only 0.5 kilometres (0.3 mi) away from Shahbag and 0.25 km (0.16 mi) distant from Chankharpul. Shaheed Minar is an outstanding monument of Bangladesh. It was built to tribute the martyrs who given up their life for language. The main incident had been occurring inside of Dhaka medical college hospital. So
810-462: The Minar in the afternoon of 23 February. They worked through the night and finished it at dawn. A hand written paper was attached to the Minar with "Shaheed Smritistombho" written on it. The original Minar was on a base measuring 10.5 feet (3.2 m). The Minar was inaugurated by the father of Shafiur Rahman , Molvi. Mahabubur Rahman, who killed during the massacre. It was demolished on 26 February by
855-562: The Pakistani police force opened fire on Bengali protesters who were demanding official status for their native tongue, Bengali . The massacre occurred near Dhaka Medical College and Ramna Park in Dhaka. A makeshift monument was erected on 23 February by students of Dhaka medical college and other educational institutions, but soon demolished on 26 February by the Pakistani police force. The Language Movement gained momentum, and after
900-548: The Shaheed Minar and asked the Public Works Department to establish a museum and a library on its premises. The enormous design includes a half-circular arrangement of columns to symbolise the mother, with her fallen sons, standing on the monument's central dais, and the red sun shining behind. The Central Shaheed Minar of Dhaka goes up to a height of 14 metres (46 ft) and was made with marble stones. The stairs and barrier are highlighted in white, to create
945-600: The Shaheed Minar. The largest replicas of Shaheed Minar in Bangladesh are located in Barisal and Madaripur . Among them, the foundation stone of the replica located in Barisal was laid by the then president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972. The replica located at Madaripur was inaugurated in 2021. Apart from Bangladesh and India, there are at least 100 replicas of Shahid Minar in the world. The replica of Shaheed Minar
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#1732775879719990-484: The dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue. Rafiqul Islam's proposal was introduced in the Bangladesh parliament and in due course (at the behest of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina )
1035-470: The extension, two entrances to the basement murals were permanently closed, and after remaining in an abandoned state for 15 years, the murals had lost much of their gloss. In the 1983 renovation, the original poor materials were lined with marble stone. A museum and library were also featured in the original plan. In August 2010, the High Court issued eight directives for the maintenance and renovation of
1080-483: The history of the Language Movement. Hurried repair of the Shaheed Minar resulted in the Minar to be reconstructed incorrectly. The height of the column was shorter and the head bent more than originally planned, and the proportions of different parts of the monument were not properly maintained. The Language Movement was one of the formidable movements which has come up in the country of Bangladesh, thus
1125-446: The mid-eighties, the monument underwent further renovation under the supervision of the then Department of Architecture chief architect SHM Abul Bashar, which extended the area of the Shaheed Minar premises, giving it a square shape from a triangular one. Quarters concerned demanded proper implementation of the design by Hamidur Rahman with the help of sculptor Novera Ahmed and Danish architect Gean Deleuran. ASM Ismail said that because of
1170-399: The monument's central dais. Yellow and deep blue pieces of stained glass, symbolising eyes reflecting the sun, were also to be placed in the columns. The marble floor was designed to reflect the moving shadows of the columns. The basement of the Minar also included a 1,500-square-foot (140 m ) fresco depicting the history of the language movement. A railing decorated with Bengali alphabet
1215-466: The mother of Abul Barkat , Hasina Begum. The Minar was severely damaged by the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The columns were destroyed on the night of the commencement of the genocide, 25 March 1971. The Pakistani Army crushed the Minar and placed over the rubble a signboard reading "Mosque". In 1972, a committee headed by the then president Abu Sayeed Chowdhury
1260-467: The police and Pakistani Army. Smaller versions of the memorial were built in other places. The first Shaheed Minar monument was then destroyed four days after its erection, on February 26, 1952, by the Pakistani Police and Army. A signboard placed by the police force on top of the rubble from the Minar read "mosque". Two years after the first monument was destroyed by the then police force,
1305-1001: The roads, eat festive meals and listen to songs. Bangla Academy arranges Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka for the whole month of February. International Mother Language Day was introduced to the Parliament of Canada for recognition by Matthew Kellway on 5 February 2014 as a private member's bill , C-573, however it was never debated and failed to become law. In 2015, British Columbia and Manitoba issued proclamations observing International Mother Language Day on 21 February. Edmonton observed International Mother Language Day on 21 February 2017. Edmonton Ekushey observed by Bangladesh Heritage & Ethnic Society and Diverse Edmonton with due respect in Edmonton on 23 February 2020. In December 2021, Independent Senators Group member, Mobina Jaffer , introduced and Sponsored Bill S-214, An Act to establish International Mother Language Day, in
1350-423: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Shaheed Minar . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shaheed_Minar&oldid=1253375922 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
1395-471: The sense of culture and language, and were also separated by India in between. In 1948, the Government of Pakistan declared Urdu to be the sole national language of Pakistan, even though Bengali or Bangla was spoken by the majority of people combining East Pakistan and West Pakistan. The East Pakistan people protested since the majority of the population was from East Pakistan and their mother language
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1440-412: The supervision of Hamidur Rahman and Novera Ahmed. Most of the work, including the basement, platform, some of the columns with the rails, footprints and some of the murals were also finished when martial law was declared in the area, and the construction was forced to a halt. Construction work was completed in 1963, leaving much of Fatamatuj's design unfinished. It was inaugurated on 21 February 1963, by
1485-681: Was Bangla. They demanded Bangla to be at least one of the national languages, in addition to Urdu. The demand was raised first by Dhirendranath Datta from East Pakistan on 23 February 1948, in the constituent Assembly of Pakistan. To demolish the protest, the government of Pakistan outlawed public meeting and rallies. The students of the University of Dhaka , with the support of the general public, arranged massive rallies and meetings. On 21 February 1952, police opened fire on rallies. Abdus Salam , Abul Barkat , Rafiq Uddin Ahmed , Abdul Jabbar and Shafiur Rahman died, with hundreds of others injured. This
1530-596: Was a rare incident in history, where people sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue. Since then, Bangladeshis celebrate the International Mother Language Day as one of their tragic days. They visit the Shaheed Minar , a monument built in memory of the martyrs and its replicas to express their deep sorrow, respect and gratitude to them. International Mother Language Day is a national holiday in Bangladesh. The resolution
1575-570: Was built in London in 1999 in Altab Ali Park , Whitechapel . Members of the community come here to mark International Mother Language Day by laying wreaths and singing revolutionary songs. There is also a Shaheed Minar replica in Westwood, Greater Manchester. Community members come from across North England to mark International Mother Language Day at the monument. The Linguapax Prize
1620-425: Was constituted to plan, design, and approve the monument's construction. The committee approved the design of sculptor Hamidur Rahman , followed by the construction of Shaheed Minar, starting in 1957. Hamidur Rahman's model was a huge complex on a large area of land in the yard of Dhaka Medical College Hostel. The enormous design included a half-circular column to symbolise the mother with her fallen sons standing on
1665-625: Was declared to be International Mother Language Day by UNESCO on 17 November 1999. It has been observed throughout the world since 21 February 2000. The declaration came up in tribute to the Language Movement done by the Bangladeshis (then the East Pakistanis ). When Pakistan was created in 1947, it had two geographically separate parts: East Pakistan (currently known as Bangladesh ) and West Pakistan (currently known as Pakistan ). The two parts were very different from each other in
1710-900: Was first built abroad in 1997 in Oldham , Britain. Replicas were later built in Altab Ali Park in Whitechapel , London and in Luton . There are 4 replicas of Shaheed Minar in West Bengal of which two are located in the city of Kolkata . A replica was erected in 2005 in Tokyo , the capital of Japan. A replica is also located in Ashfield Park in Sydney , Australia. A replica was opened in Toronto , Canada on 27 November 2021. Another replica
1755-675: Was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly with the adoption of UN resolution 56/262 in 2002. Mother Language Day is part of a broader initiative "to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by people of the world" as adopted by the UN General Assembly on 16 May 2007 in UN resolution 61/266, which also established 2008 as the International Year of Languages. < The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day
1800-470: Was formed and renovation work began. The original sketch was ignored, while the Construction and Building Directorate followed the 1963 design. The construction went quickly, according to a modified design from 1963. The murals destroyed by the Pakistani army were not restored and the basement was sealed off. Hamidur Rahman's original design was not approved by the directorate in the renovation work. In
1845-617: Was inaugurated in 2023 in Perris, California . A Shaheed Minar (costing 70 thousand euros to build) was inaugurated in Paris , the capital of France , on 8 October 2023 (the second one in France, the first was built in Toulouse ). Although there are replicas of Shaheed Minar in different parts of Bangladesh, some of them have a different structure than the original structure, so there has been
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1890-399: Was rebuilt. It was expanded in 1983. National, mourning, cultural and other activities are held each year on 21 February ( Ekushey February ) to mark Language Movement Day or Shaheed Dibas (Martyrs' Day), centred on the Shaheed Minar. Since 2000, 21 February is also recognised as International Mother Language Day . The Shaheed Minar is situated near Dhaka Medical College Hospital and in
1935-570: Was suggested by Rafiqul Islam and Abdus Salam, Bengalis living in Vancouver , Canada. They wrote a letter to Kofi Annan on 9 January 1998 asking him to take a step for saving the world's languages from extinction by declaring an International Mother Language Day. Rafiq proposed the date as 21 February to commemorate the 1952 killings in Dhaka during the Language Movement. Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote
1980-632: Was the initiative of Bangladesh . In Bangladesh, 21 February 1952 is the anniversary of the day when the Bengalis of the then-Pakistani province of East Bengal (which is now the independent state of Bangladesh) fought for recognition of their Bengali language . It is also observed by the Indian Bengalis of the Indian states of West Bengal , Assam , Jharkhand , Tripura and the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands . 21 February
2025-540: Was to be constructed in front. Two footmarks coloured red and black, indicating the two opposite forces, were also in the design. Besides this a museum and a library were also included in Hamidur Rahman's design. A fountain shaped like an eye was also to be constructed. Rahman specifically designed the materials of the monument to withstand the area's tropical climate. Construction started in November 1957, under
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