International Mother Language Day was observed across the globe on Saturday, with the football world joining in to honour the historic significance of 21 February. World football’s governing body used the occasion to deliver a special message to supporters in Bangladesh, highlighting the unifying power of the sport.
On 21 February 1952, Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Shafiur and Jabbar, along with many unnamed others, sacrificed their lives in the movement to establish Bangla as a state language. The day has since become a symbol of linguistic identity and cultural pride, commemorated internationally each year.
Marking the occasion, the official FIFA World Cup Facebook page shared a post featuring Canada based Bangladesh international Shamit Shome. The caption read, “Same emotion in different languages,” accompanied by football and heart symbols. The image of Shome carried a message in Bangla stating, “Football is our language,” noting the idea that while languages may differ, the passion for football remains universal.
The post was reportedly shared with a custom privacy setting, making it primarily visible to Facebook users in Bangladesh. The gesture was widely viewed as recognition of the country’s deep historical connection to language rights and its growing presence in global football conversations.
The Bangladesh Football Federation also issued a message on its official Facebook page, extending greetings on the occasion. In its statement, the federation emphasised the spirit of youth and inspiration associated with Ekushey, paying tribute to the martyrs whose sacrifice secured the right to the mother tongue.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque paid homage to the language martyrs, describing Ekushey as a source of pride and identity for the nation. He noted that the memory of those who gave their lives in 1952 would remain eternal in the hearts of Bengalis.
