Shah Cement and POP5’s “Virtual Shaheed Minar” unites Bangladeshis across the globe
The Bangla Language Movement of 1952 was a defining moment in Bangladesh’s history, as students sacrificed their lives to protect the right to speak in their mother tongue. Their struggle led to the recognition of Bangla as a state language and, decades later, inspired UNESCO to declare February 21st as International Mother Language Day—a day to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide. Yet, outside Bangladesh, this chapter of history remains largely unknown.
For Bangladeshis, Ekushey February is not just a day—it is a deeply rooted cultural ritual. Every year, at the stroke of midnight, thousands gather at the Shaheed Minar to offer flowers in tribute, marking the beginning of a solemn yet unifying ceremony. This act of remembrance has been passed down through generations, symbolizing the nation’s unwavering respect for those who gave their lives for the right to speak their language.
Recognizing the importance of this tradition, Shah Cement — a brand long committed to preserving this legacy — has built physical Shaheed Minar monuments at schools and colleges across Bangladesh. This year, they took their initiative further by partnering with POP5 Bangladesh to introduce a Virtual Shaheed Minar, allowing Bangladeshis from around the world to participate in this national tribute, regardless of their location.
Using advanced 3D mapping technology, Shah Cement meticulously recreated the central Shaheed Minar monument at Dhaka University in a virtual space. The microsite went live at midnight, mirroring the real-life tradition. Visitors simply had to enter their name and phone number to enter. They could then customize their avatar before stepping into a made-to-scale digital replica of the Shaheed Minar. Here, users could walk to the flower booth, select from a variety of floral arrangements, add personal messages, and place their bouquet at the base of the monument. The experience concluded with a selfie booth, allowing participants to capture and share their virtual tribute on social media.
The response was overwhelming—over 140,000 participants from 58 countries joined in this tribute, proving that the spirit of Ekushey February transcends borders.
“For generations, this has been a day of deep reflection and national pride,” said a spokesperson from Shah Cement. “Since we have only one national Shaheed Minar, we wanted to create a virtual one so that no Bangladeshi—wherever they are—feels distant from this moment of remembrance.”
The Virtual Shaheed Minar is now a permanent brand asset for Shah Cement, with plans to continuously host the website each year on February 21st for the foreseeable future.
This initiative not only allows for wider participation but also helps spread global awareness about February 21st and the origins of International Mother Language Day, ensuring that the story of Bangladesh’s language movement reaches the world.
