The first US-funded shaheed minar (monument in honour of the Language Movement martyrs) was inaugurated in Paterson, New Jersey on Sunday, says a foreign ministry press release yesterday.

Paterson City Council allocated the land at Westside Park in 2012 and Passic County provided the financial grant in 2013 in honour of the Bangladesh community there and acknowledging Bangla's multicultural significance.

Bangladesh Consul General in New York Md Shameem Ahsan, ndc, unveiled the monument as chief guest while Deputy Mayor of Paterson Pedro Rodriguez, Council Vice-President Ruby Cotton, councilmen, Passic County Office representatives and elected US representatives were present.