International Mother Language Day is a source of inspiration to build multicultural and inclusive societies where people of all races, faiths, languages and cultures get respect and can live with dignity, ministers and academics said today.

The International Mother Language Day, which is recognised by the UNESCO and is celebrated on February 21 commemorating the struggle for Bangla Language in 1952, speaks of recognising all languages and cultures.

The observations came on the first day of a two-day webinar titled "Understanding Asian Transformations: Language and Cultural Binds," jointly organised by the Centre for Genocide Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh; and School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (SLAS); Taylor's University, Malaysia; Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture of Malaysia (MOTAC); and Bangladesh High Commission, Kuala Lumpur.

 "Mother Language Day gives a space for promotion of cultural diversity…this needs to be cultivated for developing a culture of humanity," said Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.

Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato' Sri Nancy Shukri emphasised the importance of protection and preservation of languages as it translates to the protection and preservation of culture and heritage.

In a video message, she also applauded the efforts of Bangladesh in making the International Mother Language Day a worldwide celebration, highlighting its importance to the world.

Centre for Genocide Studies Director Prof Imtiaz Ahmed said the idea of singularity creates problems in society. Therefore, the recognition of all languages and ethnicities by the states and societies are important for establishing inclusive society.

Prof Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, executive dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management, Taylor's University; Prof Fakrul Alam of Department of English, University of Dhaka; Dr Salinah Binti Ja'afar, associate professor at the Department of Linguistics, Academy of Malay Studies, University of Malaya, Shigeru Aoyagi, director for the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education; Prof Firdous Azim, chair of the Department of English and Humanities, BRAC University and Prof Wan Zawawi Wan Ibrahim, Adjunct Professor, Taylor's University attended the event.

The second part of the event will take place on February 19. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Md Golam Sarwar and Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md Hashim will participate in the event.

Besides live performances of Bangladesh and Malaysia, countries like India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives will participate in the cultural event through video, being represented by the respective diplomatic missions in Kuala Lumpur.