Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, Her Excellency Abida Islam, High Commissioner of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom, and Speaker of the Council, Councillor Suluk Ahmed paid tribute.
Community leaders, residents, and representatives of the Bangladesh High Commission gathered at Altab Ali Park in Whitechapel in the early hours of February 21 to observe United Nations' (UN) International Mother Language Day.
February 21 is the anniversary of the killing of four students in Bangladesh in 1952, during a campaign to officially use their mother language, Bengali. It has been a public holiday in Bangladesh since 1953.
The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference. Marked across the world, the day highlights the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity for sustainable societies. It also recognises the significance of preserving the differences in cultures and languages that foster tolerance and respect for others.
Youth Voices on Multilingual Education is the theme ofthis year’s International Mother Language Day celebrations. The theme focuses on the role of young people in shaping the future of multilingual education. It alsohighlights that language is more than a means of communication: it is central to identity, learning, well-being and participation in society.
In Tower Hamlets, the annual remembrance event is hosted by Tower Hamlets Council in partnership with the Kendrio Shaheed Minar Committee (KSMC).
The Shaheed Minar (‘Martyrs Monument’) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which commemorates those students, has a replica in Altab Ali Park in Whitechapel, which is the focus for public tribute in Tower Hamlets.
Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, Her Excellency Abida Islam, High Commissioner of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom, and Nurul Islam, General Secretary of Kendrio Shaheed Minar Committee laid wreaths at the Shaheed Minar in Altab Ali Park.
Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, said: “It is a privilege to pay tribute to those who have made momentous sacrifices for the recognition of their native languages.
Tower Hamlets is proud to celebrate its diversity and rich history of being home to people of different languages and cultures. The theme of this year’s commemoration highlights the importance of preserving linguistic diversity amongst younger generations.”
Her Excellency Abida Islam, High Commissioner of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom, said: "International Mother Language Day traces its origins to the historic Language Movement of Bangladesh in 1952, when courageous young students sacrificed their lives to uphold the rightful dignity of their mother tongue, Bangla. Their sacrifice reminds the world that language is far more than a means of communication—it is the foundation of identity, culture, and social equity.
This year’s theme, “Youth Voices on Multilingual Education,” highlights the vital role young people play as guardians of our global linguistic heritage. Their energy, advocacy, and commitment ensure that linguistic diversity continues to thrive for generations to come. Bangladesh remains steadfast in this mission. With 41 living languages, the country has established ten dedicated institutions to preserve the heritage of ethnic minority communities and to provide mother-tongue-based education for their children.
Today, we also celebrate the vibrant multilingual spirit of Tower Hamlets and the wider United Kingdom. On this day, we honour the young people who proudly carry their ancestral languages into the future, ensuring that our diversity remains our greatest collective strength."
In Tower Hamlets, the Young Community Languages service offers young people in the borough the chance to learn a range of additional languages, including Bangla, Somali, Cantonese, Mandarin and Arabic. The service helps children and young people make better connections to their heritage or home language and cultures and celebrates the diversity of communities in Tower Hamlets.
Posted on Monday 23rd February 2026