Country of the month

On Oct. 12 the Kirkwood Community College International Office celebrated Bangladesh as country of the month.

According to www.kirkwood.edu, those who volunteer for this program have the opportunity to decorate the display case outside of the International Programs office with items reflecting their culture and country for one month. In addition, a global spotlight presentation is scheduled on campus so that volunteer students have the opportunity to provide an hour-long presentation about their country to the campus community. 

During the presentation Md Atikur Rahman and Tamanna Islam, the only Bangladeshi students on Kirkwood’s campus, threw one question about the position of Bangladesh on the world map toward the audience. Few people in the audience knew that Bangladesh is only one of two countries ever having declared their Independence and achieved it. The other being the United States. 

Rahman said, “After the presentation, I am getting used to teaching people about Bangladesh, my surprise comes from the other side when I meet someone who actually does know a little bit about my country with lots of misconceptions. That’s why I try to let the people know the real stories about the liberation war and the history of how a country was born through sacrificing 3 million lives.” 

Rahman and Islam wore their cultural dress, Kurta and Saree respectively. Islam said, “It was really a great feeling to represent my country in front of people who don’t have much of an idea about it. At the same time, it was a matter of anxiousness, because it is not an easy task to represent a country in front of people from other countries. I wore cultural dress, and was holding the culture of my country on my body, which was amazing.” 

They shared videos of freedom struggle and talked about the relationship between International Mother Language Day and their country, when they were under the rule of Pakistan. They were forced to speak Urdu instead of their mother tongue, Bangla. As an honor of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952 UNESCO they celebrate International Mother Language Day on Feb. 21. 

Additionally, Bangladesh has their own calendar. Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali new year, is a major festival of Bengali culture and sees widespread festivities. It is celebrated on April 14 about cultures around the world.