On Dec. 16, 1971, East Pakistan won its independence from the State of Pakistan in a bloody nine-month conflict known as the Bangladesh Liberation War. 

After winning its liberation, East Pakistan seceded from Pakistan and became the independent nation of Bangladesh. Even though the war was very short, more than three million people lost their lives.

President of the Bangladesh Student Association, Khondoker Usama wants to commemorate this independence day on Wichita State’s campus by giving a guided tour of the Civil Rights exhibit in the Ulrich Museum of Art followed by the screening of a documentary that followed the war.

“I want people to see this as a civil rights issue instead of a civil war; a war for freedom,” Usama said. “It’s about the freedom that people are trying to gain through these movements.”

The event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 15 (technically Dec. 16 by Bangladesh time). The guided tour will start at 5 p.m. and the film will begin at about 6:25 p.m. WSU president John Bardo will speak about the event before the film begins. Admission is $3 for students and $5 for adults.

For tickets or more information, contact Usama at (316) 300-9956.