Utah Valley University brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members for a vibrant celebration of International Mother Language Day on Feb. 19, 2025, in the Ragan Theater. The event featured cultural performances from a wide breadth of people who are committed to preserving their heritages.

Observed annually on Feb. 21, International Mother Language Day highlights the importance of linguistic and cultural heritage while promoting multilingualism.

UVU Assistant Professor of Computer Science Sayeed Sajal, Ph.D., has spearheaded the event for nearly a decade. Sajal shared the deep personal significance of the day, as its origins trace back to his homeland of Bangladesh.

In 1948, the government of Pakistan declared Urdu the national language despite Bangla being the dominant language in East and West Pakistan. Protests erupted as Bengali speakers fought for linguistic recognition. “People sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue … to preserve our language,” Sajal explained. Their struggle and ultimate success in gaining recognition for Bangla as a national language are now commemorated through International Mother Language Day.

The Ragan Theater stage came alive with a dynamic showcase of music, dance, and spoken word performances reflecting cultures from around the world. Participants represented Native American, Bengali, Mexican, Latino, Pacific Islander, Indian, Asian, Irish, African Diaspora, and deaf communities, offering a rich display of global heritage.