International Mother Language Day at Bangladesh Cultural Garden
Bangladesh Cultural Garden Group on International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on February 21 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism. First announced by UNESCO in 1999, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002.
The national language and official language of Bangladesh is Bengali (also known as "Bangla") and almost 99% of Bangladeshis speak Bengali (including dialects) as their first language. With over 242 million native speakers and another 41 million as second language speakers as of 2025, Bengali is the fifth most spoken native language and the seventh most spoken language by the total number of speakers in the world. It is the second-most widely spoken language in India being the official language of the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and the Barak Valley region of the state of Assam.
The name "Bangladesh" is a combination of the Bengali words "Bangla" (meaning Bengali) and "Desh" (meaning land or country).
The Bengali language movement from 1948 to 1956 demanding that Bengali be an official language of Pakistan fostered Bengali nationalism in East Bengal leading to the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971. In 1999, UNESCO recognized 21 February as International Mother Language Day in recognition of the language movement.
The national anthems of both Bangladesh (Amar Sonar Bangla) and India (Jana Gana Mana) were written in Bengali by the Bengali Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Members of the Bangladesh community of Cleveland Ohio USA gathered at the future site of the Bangladesh Cultural Garden to commemorate the day on Saturday February 22, 2025. Community leader Tariq Islam explained the importance of International Mother Language Day and discussed the Bangla language and flag of Bangladesh.
The community leaders introduced themselves and the Chia Min-Chen, Asian Liaison for the City of Cleveland, gave some remarks. Then Tom Turkaly, incoming Executive Director of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation, welcomed the Bangladesh Garden to the community of about 45 gardens spanning over 100 years. Then the group gave a final greeting in the Bangla language. Watch the video.
2024
Spotting and preventing Scams targeting the Bangladesh Community
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a government agency that protects people from frauds and scams. Unfortunately, scammer often target communities that they feel are vulnerable. That may be senior citizens, immigrants or members of ethnic communities - including the Bangladesh community. The FTC partnered with Ethnic Media Services (EMS) and hosted an event in Cleveland Ohio on September 24, 2024 dealing with Spotting and Avoiding Scams - especially for the ethnic communities.
This included our Ambassador, Tariq Islam.
Experts from several agencies were joined by ethnic community leaders and members of ethnic media outlets for a robust and informative session.
Pam Anson from the BBB, Tariq Islam from the Bangladesh community and Chia-Min Chen, Asian Liaison for Cleveland
Information is available in Bengali and numerous other languages.
If you should be taken advantage by a scam it is very important to report the activity. You can do this anonymously but there should be no embarrassment or shame. All ages and demographics are targeted by these expert scammers
Bangladesh community at One World Day 2024
The Bangladesh community of Cleveland participated in One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. They marched in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries.
Bangladesh community in Parade of Flags 2024
Some then visited the ClevelandPeople.com maps to point out their homeland.
The 2024 Cleveland Asian Festival was a rousing success. Almost 50,000 people attended the annual 2 day festival that included performances, food, cultural displays, health screenings, games, kids and family activities and more.
Asia Plaza roof shot of crowd at Cleveland Asian Festival
There were traditional and modern performances on two stages. There was something for everyone. Younger people really liked the Asian Pop Dance Competition. Plenty of martial arts on the second stage. And so on.
The Bangladesh community of Cleveland participated in One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 50,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2023. They marched in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries.
First annual International Mother Language Day in Cleveland
International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on February 21 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism. The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh.
A ceremony was held in the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall on February 24, 2023 to commemorate and educate.
We have coverage (video and pictures) of the entire event spread over 3 pages
Fashions from Bangladesh at Cleveland multicultural party
A highlight of the 8th Annual ICC-WIN Cleveland Multicultural Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the Global Center for Health Innovation in Cleveland was the International Fashion Show featuring almost 100 models from about 30 countries.
Muslim conversions and settlement in the region now referred to as Bangladesh began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India.
Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971, during which at least 300,000 civilians died.
The post-independence AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections occurred in 1991. The BNP and AL alternated in power between 1991 and 2013, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA.
In January 2014, the incumbent AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted, extending HASINA's term as prime minister. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has reduced the poverty rate from over half of the population to less than a third, achieved Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health, and made great progress in food security since independence. The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6% over the last two decades and the country reached World Bank lower-middle income status in 2015.
Read more about the Bangladeshi and other Ambassadors. If you are interested in being considered to be an official ClevelandPeople.com Ambassador to the Cleveland Bangladeshi community, please contact us.
