Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW) was established in the year 2003 in Dhaka, Bangladesh with a view to disseminate the true teachings of Islam in the light of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad (SAW). Since its inception, through its research work and social activities the Institute has been working towards the development of socio economic justice, global peace, human rights and establishment of the rule of law. To learn more about the activities of the Institute visit www.ihmsaw.org
 
 
 
‘Project Ekushe’ and the Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW)


The ‘Ekushe Website Project’ was initiated by the Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW) in recognition of the brave Martyrs who sacrificed their lives in 1952 and to express solidarity to the importance of protecting the linguistic diversity of Mankind as highlighted by the UN through the declaration of International Mother Language Day.
 
 
 
Linguistic diversity in Islam

'O Mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you races and tribes, that you may know one another.'     [Holy Quran 49 :13]

For centuries, in comparison to all methods of communication, language has always been the utmost effective and expressive tool for man. It is only mankind, who is bestowed with the ability to speak and write in different languages. And as such interact and express themselves in diverse tongues and through various written characters. This divine blessing from our Lord which grants us with a special ability and capacity distinguishes man to be superior to all other creations. Allah (swt) reiterates the distinction and importance of language as He states in the Holy Quran:

'And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colour. Verily in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.'     [Holy Quran 30: 22]


It is language, through which man has passed on his knowledge to posterity, explored for answers on his own existence and purpose, conveyed the message of religions and searched for his Divine Creator. The first few verses of the Holy Quran revealed to our Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAW) clearly states:
 
"Read! In the name of your Lord Who has created….Who has taught (the writing) by the pen' [Holy Quran 96:1,4 ].
 
Allah (swt) has guided all civilizations through His Messengers who conveyed His message to people of different race and culture in their mother language. Allah (swt) in the Holy Quran states, '
 
And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them.' [Holy Quran 14: 4].

Such blessings of diversified linguistic abilities of mankind have not always received due recognition by religious and political leaders. At times, the differences of cultures and races have rather been used as a means to gain personal or political agenda. The events in Pakistan are an explicit example of it. Post independence of Pakistan in order to further their interest and impose own political agendas the politicians tried to dominate the people of East Pakistan by imposing restrictions on the native Bengali language. A blessing gifted by Allah (swt) was attempted to be seized in the name of religion. The brave people of East Bengal fought and struggled for years against this malevolence and eventually this scheme was destroyed.

The declaration of International Mother Language Day by UNESCO delineates the importance of preserving the linguistic diversity of mankind as that distinguishes different cultures and traditions. The process acknowledges and pays respect to the sacrifices made by the brave martyrs of the language movement. The day as declared is observed as an International Mother Language Day by the United Nations and all its member countries. However, the chronicle behind the declaration of this historically profound day remains largely unpublished to people across the world. Even through the internet highway as a source of mass data that provides access to information to the simplest issues of daily life; the history of Bangladesh’s Language Movement remains very limited and mostly unsubstantiated and inadequate.

We take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to Mr. C. M. Tarek Reza for his kind support and assistance and in particular with regard to the publication of some rare historical pictures in this site. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the collectors and photographers who have collected/photographed these pictures.

This site is dedicated to the memory of the brave Martyrs of the Language Movement. May Allah (swt) grant them peace.