A man can be away from his motherland, but the motherland is never away from him. That’s what Rafiqul Islam always believed in, and thus, worked diligently for the motherland even after being away from her for many years. He is a valiant freedom fighter, and also the architect of the International Mother Language Day; he died last year, on November 21 in Vancouver, Canada, at the age of 63 after suffering from leukemia for over two years.
Rafiqul hailed from Rajbari in Comilla, and had been living in Canada for the last 18 years. Initiatives by him and his friend Abdus Salam, members of the Vancouver-based organisation Mother Language Lovers of the World, inspired the Bangladesh government to work towards achieving UN recognition of the glorious Language Movement. Responding to Bangladesh’s formal proposal, the UNESCO, in 1999, declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day.
Rafiqul’s death shocked the Bangladeshis living in North America, Canada in particular. The always smiling, amiable freedom fighter was a highly revered man among the Bangladeshi Canadians for his great merit and effort in immortalising the memory of our language martyrs in the whole world.
The Weekly Aajkal, a Toronto based community newspaper, organised a memorial meeting two days after Rafiqul’s death. In the meeting, speakers mourned the demise of the brave-heart, paid homage to his departed soul, and sent condolences to his family. Fellow freedom fighter and the publisher of the Weekly Bangla Kagoj, MR Jahangir was in tears while talking about his dear friend Rafiqul: “He was a true freedom fighter, an indomitable spirit. Even after hearing the final words from his doctors, he didn’t break down. He was ready to face the inevitable. We had plans to launch a project for the poor in Bangladesh, but it’s all finished.”
On November 25, another memorial service was held, this time organised and participated by almost all the socio-cultural groups and individuals of the Bangladeshi community who gathered at the Bangladesh Centre and Community Services auditorium to pay tribute to the patriot. Rafiqul’s comrades in the Liberation War shared their memories of him with the mourners. The speakers vowed to uphold the spirit of Liberation War that Rafiqul cherished in him, and work towards fulfilling his dreams of making Bangladesh a non-communal, prosperous state.
The mourners expressed their dissatisfaction over the fact that Rafiqul was not given the recognition he deserved. They demanded that the Bangladesh government award him posthumously with national honours, include the story of his contribution in the textbooks, and take effective initiatives to promote the International Mother Language day in all UN member countries. The speakers also urged the community members to find ways and work accordingly to ensure that the day is observed in befitting manner in the schools of Canada.
Farhana Azim Shuily, one of the organisers and host of the memorial ceremony, said: “The most special characteristic of Rafiqul Islam was his ‘never say die’ attitude. He used to work with great dedication and patience. He had to go through a lengthy bureaucratic process to place and forward his proposal, but he never gave up. He materialised what he wanted for the language martyrs … His contribution will never be forgotten, and the way he has globalised the spirit of February 21 will inspire millions of expatriates living in different parts of the world.”
With all his heart, Rafiqul believed that language constitutes a person’s world, and he knew how important it is in establishing peace and prosperity in the global community. That is why he dedicated himself in a mission to ensure that each and every language is protected. In a telephone interview published in February 2012, on the Weekly Aajkal, he elaborated his ideas and thoughts on language and culture. There, he shared all his memories related to the complex and herculean task that he and his friends at Mother Language Lovers of the World undertook.
In the interview, Rafiqul clarified that their prime objective was to help save the languages that are on the verge of extinction, and establish the rights of the speakers of all languages. He and his friends chose February 21 to be designated as International Mother Language Day since the very day marked the only history of sacrificing lives for one’s mother-tongue.
This year in March, Rafiqul came to Toronto, and I was lucky to meet him in person at the Bangla Television studio. He was extremely weak physically, yet he was strong in spirit. He chatted with us with genuine enthusiasm, shared his war-time memories, and took plenty of photos with us.
The next day, in a reception accorded to the freedom fighters living in Canada, he delivered a touching speech. The intensity of his love for his mother-tongue and motherland was so evident in every word he uttered. He wanted to visit Toronto again, and work with the community, but before that came true, he was defeated by the fatal disease he was fighting against for more than a couple of years.
Projonmo Canada, a Bangladeshi-Canadian youth forum wrote in their condolence: “From the very beginning, we (Projonmo Canada) have taken Rafqul Islam as the source of our inspiration. He showed us how we can work for the nation even after being away from the homeland.” Truly, that’s what Rafiqul has done successfully. He has proven that loving the motherland is a life-long journey that goes beyond boundaries.
