Rafiqul Islam
- July 16, 1950
- November 20, 2013
- 63 years
- leukaemia
About Rafiqul Islam
Rafiqul Islam, 63, Bangladeshi-born Canadian language activist, leukaemia.
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Full Biography
|Rafiqul Islam (16 July 1950 – 20 November 2013) was a Bangladeshi-born Canadian language activist. He played a major role in achieving recognition of February 21 as the International Mother Language Day, proclaimed by the General Conference of UNESCO in November 1999. He was awarded Independence Day Award posthumously by the government of Bangladesh in 2016. He was a member of Vancouver-based organization The Mother Language Lovers Of The World which was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2001 for the same cause.
Death
Rafiqul Islam had lived in Canada for 18 years until he died of leukaemia on 20 November 2013 in Vancouver General Hospital in Canada.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafiqul_Islam_(activist)
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- September 29, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from Rafiqul Islam's archived record and the sources above.
1.On what date was Rafiqul Islam born?
- A.21 February 1999
- B.20 November 2013
- C.16 July 1950correct
- D.21 February 2001
Rafiqul Islam was born on 16 July 1950.
Source: biographical introduction
2.What was the nationality of Rafiqul Islam?
- A.American
- B.British
- C.Canadiancorrect
- D.French
Rafiqul Islam was a Bangladeshi-born Canadian language activist.
Source: biographical introduction
3.What medical condition caused the death of Rafiqul Islam?
- A.Heart failure
- B.Leukaemiacorrect
- C.Pneumonia
- D.Diabetes
Rafiqul Islam died of leukaemia on 20 November 2013.
Source: death section
4.In which city did Rafiqul Islam pass away?
- A.Dhaka
- B.Montreal
- C.Vancouvercorrect
- D.Toronto
Rafiqul Islam died in Vancouver General Hospital in Canada.
Source: death section
5.What international recognition did Rafiqul Islam help achieve for February 21?
- A.Global Peace Day
- B.World Literacy Day
- C.International Human Rights Day
- D.International Mother Language Daycorrect
Rafiqul Islam played a major role in achieving recognition of February 21 as the International Mother Language Day.
Source: biographical introduction
6.When did the General Conference of UNESCO proclaim International Mother Language Day?
- A.July 1950
- B.November 1999correct
- C.February 2001
- D.November 2013
International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of UNESCO in November 1999.
Source: biographical introduction
7.Which prestigious award was granted posthumously to Rafiqul Islam by the government of Bangladesh?
- A.Independence Day Awardcorrect
- B.Order of Canada
- C.UNESCO Peace Prize
- D.Ekushey Padak
Rafiqul Islam was awarded the Independence Day Award posthumously by the government of Bangladesh in 2016.
Source: biographical introduction
8.Which organization counted Rafiqul Islam as a member?
- A.The Mother Language Lovers Of The Worldcorrect
- B.The International Linguistic Society
- C.The UNESCO Language Council
- D.The World Language Association
Rafiqul Islam was a member of the Vancouver-based organization The Mother Language Lovers Of The World.
Source: biographical introduction
9.In what year was the organization The Mother Language Lovers Of The World awarded the Ekushey Padak?
- A.2001correct
- B.2016
- C.2013
- D.1999
The Mother Language Lovers Of The World was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2001.
Source: biographical introduction
10.How long did Rafiqul Islam reside in Canada before his death?
- A.21 years
- B.10 years
- C.18 yearscorrect
- D.15 years
Rafiqul Islam had lived in Canada for 18 years until he died.
Source: death section
11.What was the base location of The Mother Language Lovers Of The World?
- A.Ottawa
- B.Toronto
- C.Dhaka
- D.Vancouvercorrect
Rafiqul Islam was a member of the Vancouver-based organization The Mother Language Lovers Of The World.
Source: biographical introduction
12.When did Rafiqul Islam pass away?
- A.21 February 2001
- B.21 February 1999
- C.16 July 1950
- D.20 November 2013correct
Rafiqul Islam died on 20 November 2013.
Source: death section
13.What is the primary profession or role attributed to Rafiqul Islam?
- A.Language activistcorrect
- B.Government official
- C.Doctor of medicine
- D.UNESCO representative
Rafiqul Islam is identified as a Bangladeshi-born Canadian language activist.
Source: biographical introduction
14.Which specific award did the government of Bangladesh grant to Rafiqul Islam in 2016?
- A.The National Activist Award
- B.The Independence Day Awardcorrect
- C.The Language Hero Award
- D.The UNESCO Recognition Medal
Rafiqul Islam was awarded the Independence Day Award in 2016.
Source: biographical introduction
15.Where was Rafiqul Islam born?
- A.Canada
- B.England
- C.Bangladeshcorrect
- D.India
Rafiqul Islam is described as a Bangladeshi-born Canadian language activist.
Source: biographical introduction
16.In what hospital did Rafiqul Islam die?
- A.Dhaka General Hospital
- B.Vancouver General Hospitalcorrect
- C.Canada Medical Centre
- D.Toronto Central Hospital
Rafiqul Islam died in Vancouver General Hospital in Canada.
Source: death section
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