Planning meeting to build a 'Shahid Minar' in Canberra
Dear Bangladeshi Community Members in Canberra
You will be very excited to know that we are planning to build a Shahid Minar (Mother Language Monument) in Canberra.
As you all know that our language movement of 1952 was the major inspiration of the independence of our new country Bangladesh. That inspiration is now the inspiration of global community to be proud of their own mother language. Based on that glorious story UNESCO announced on 17 November 1999 to observe the International Mother Language Day annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. To promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, many cities of the world already have established ‘Mother Language Monuments’ with different names in Tokyo, Sydney, London, Oldham and Toronto and few others. Now we are thinking to build one in Canberra.
I as a general secretary of the Bangladesh Australia Association Canberra (BAAC) applied to the Hon. Minister Joy Burch MLA, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Community Services, Ageing, Women, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Affairs and Arts to build one monument from ACT government in last July 2011. The Hon. Minister replied in September 2011 and agreed to support us if we proceed with a community project except monetary support as she mentioned that ACT public art money ran out.
Our community already showed much interest about this project.
We are going to have our first community meeting to formally initiate this project and we are considering to form a committee to implement the project.
Date: Saturday, July 7th 2012, 3 pm to 5 pm
Venue: Meeting Room (close to Function Room) ACT Multicultural Building, Civic.
As it will be a broader community project I am requesting all Bangladeshi communities in Canberra to join this meeting.
Your love and respect for the Ekush and linguistic diversity is highly appreciated.
Thanks with nice regards
Ziaul Hoque Bablu
ZiaulHoqueBablu@gmail.com, M. 0411 031 942