Abu Dhabi: Bangladeshi residents in the capital observed National Martyrs' Day on Monday.
The day is observed to pay tributes to the martyrs of the language movement, who laid down their lives to establish Bangla as the state language on February 21, 1952.
It was declared as the International Mother Language Day by Uneco on November 17, 1999.
At a function at the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Mohammad Nazmul Quanine, the Bangladesh Ambassador, hoisted the national flag half mast to pay respect to the martyrs.
The ceremony was followed by a discussion meeting, poetry recitation, painting exhibition and cultural program presented by the pupils of Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia school in Abu Dhabi.
The messages from the President of Bangladesh Mohammad Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni were read out in the discussion meeting.
At a separate function at the school, the ambassador distributed the prizes to the winners of painting and essay competition.
Teachers, pupils , parents and members of the school governing body attended the school programme. A documentary on "Ekushey"(means 21st in Bangla ) was also screened in the school auditorium.
