Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, adviser to the Bangladesh Prime Minister for power, energy and mineral resources, made the call at a “Language Martyrs and International Mother Language Day” held at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh on Monday.

Chowdhury, who distributed prizes to winners of a competition held to mark the day, requested Bangladeshis in the Kingdom to work hard together.

Bangladeshi Ambassador Mohammed Shahidul Islam, who hoisted the country's national flag at half mast here amid a large gathering of community members, called upon his countrymen to work with commitment and sincerity and contribute to the national development of Saudi Arabia.

He urged them to be loyal, law abiding and not to indulge in activities contrary to the laws of the land.

He also called upon all, especially those who are living in the Kingdom with their families, to teach their children Bengali along with other foreign languages.

There are some 1.5 million Bangladeshis in the Kingdom. The fact that a good number of Bangladeshis, including professors, doctors and engineers, are working in the Kingdom and contributing to the economies of both countries is a matter of great satisfaction, Islam said.

“This is a red-letter day in the annals of Bangladesh, where a language movement paid the ultimate sacrifice to establish Bengali as the official language of the state,” Islam told the large gathering at the embassy. “While paying our homage to our youths who have sacrificed their life for the well being of the future generation, we must dedicate ourselves to work for the nation's development.”

He added that the day is being observed by UNESCO member states in all parts of the world. Besides the hoisting of the national flag, the day’s program included reading of the messages from the country's president, prime minister and foreign minister.

It was followed by a discussion, cultural program and distribution of awards to students who participated in an art and essay competition.

Embassy officials, representatives from Biman Bangladesh Airlines, directors from the Bangladesh International schools, principals, teachers and students and a cross-section of the Bangladesh community attended the program.