Muhammed Zafar Iqbal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal
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| মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল | |
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Iqbal in 2022
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| Born | 23 December 1952 Sylhet, Bangladesh
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| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Education | PhD in physics |
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Yasmeen Haque
(m. 1978) |
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Muhammed Zafar Iqbal (Bengali: মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল; born 23 December 1952) is a famous Bangladeshi writer, physicist, and professor. He is well-known for his science fiction stories and books for young readers. He used to teach computer science and engineering at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). Before returning to Bangladesh, he worked as a scientist for 18 years at places like California Institute of Technology and Bell Communications Research. He retired from teaching in October 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was born on 23 December 1952 in Sylhet, which was then part of East Pakistan. His father, Faizur Rahman Ahmed, was a police officer who died during the Liberation War of Bangladesh. His mother was Ayesha Akhter Khatun. Because his father's job required moving often, Iqbal spent his childhood in many different parts of Bangladesh.
His Family
Iqbal comes from a family of talented people. His older brother, Humayun Ahmed, was a very famous writer and filmmaker. His younger brother, Ahsan Habib, is a cartoonist and the editor of a funny magazine called Unmad. He also has three sisters: Sufia Haider, Momtaz Shahid, and Rukhsana Ahmed.
School and University
Iqbal finished his high school exams from Bogra Zilla School in 1968 and from Dhaka College in 1970. He then studied physics at the University of Dhaka, earning his bachelor's degree in 1973 and his master's in 1974. After that, he went to the University of Washington in the United States, where he earned his PhD in 1982.
Career Highlights
After getting his PhD, Iqbal worked as a researcher at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) from 1983 to 1988. He then became a research scientist at Bell Communications Research (Bellcore) until 1994.
Teaching and Education
Iqbal always wanted to return to Bangladesh. He joined the computer science and engineering department at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and even became its head. He was also a key person in starting the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad. This event helps make math popular among young people in Bangladesh. In 2011, he received the Rotary SEED Award for his work in education.
In 2017, Iqbal helped revise textbooks for secondary education in Bangladesh. He worked to make them easier and more helpful for students. He also helped create new textbooks in 2023.
His Writings
Iqbal started writing stories when he was very young. He wrote his first science fiction story at just seven years old. While he was at the University of Dhaka, his story "Kopotronik Bhalobasha" was published. He later wrote more stories in this series, which were collected in a book called Copotronic Sukh Dukkhu.
He has written many books for teenagers, including novels, science fiction, and adventure stories. Some of his popular books include:
- Meku Kahini
- Shanta Poribar
- Kabil Kohlafi
- Dushtu Cheler dol
- Nitu o tar bondhura
- Dipu number 2
- Obonil
- Ikarus
- Pri
- Tritron ekti groher nam
- Amar Bondhu Rashed
- Haat Kata Robin
Iqbal is considered one of the first writers to focus on science fiction in the Bengali language. He mostly writes for young readers. He also writes non-fiction books about physics and mathematics. He regularly writes articles for newspapers.
Detective Series
He also writes a detective book series called Tuntuni o Chotachchu. "Chotachchu" means 'Small Uncle' or 'the youngest uncle'.
- Tuntuni o Chotachchu (2014)
- Aro Tuntuni o Aro Chotachchu (2015)
- Abaro Tuntuni o Abaro Chotachchu
- Tobuo Tuntuni Tobuo Chotachchu (2018)
- Jokhon Tuntuni Tokhon Chotachchu
- Jerokom Tuntuni Sherokom Chotachchu (2020)
- Jetuku Tuntuni Setuku Chotachchu
- Aha Tuntuni Uhu Chotachchu (2022)
- Bah Tuntuni Bah Bah Chotaccu (2023)
- ogo Tuntuni kigo Chotacchu (2024)
Personal Life
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal married Yasmeen Haque in 1978. She was also a professor at SUST, teaching physics. They have two children. Their son, Nabil Iqbal, is a scientist at Durham University. Their daughter, Yeshim Iqbal, is a research scientist at New York University.
Awards and Recognition
Iqbal has received many awards for his contributions to literature and education. Some of them include:
- Agrani Bank Shishu Shahitto Award (2001)
- Quazi Mahbubulla Zebunnesa Award (2002)
- Khalekdad Chowdhury Literary Award (2003)
- Sheltech Literary Award (2003)
- Uro Child Literary Award (2004)
- Md. Mudabber-Husne ara literary Award (2005)
- Marcantile Bank Ltd. Award (2005)
- One of the 10 living Eminent Bengali (2005)
- American Alumni Association Award (2005)
- Dhaka University Alumni Association Award (2005)
- Sylhet Naittamoncho Award (2005)
- Bangla Academy Literary Award (2005)
- Best Playwright Meril Prothom Alo Awards (2005)
- Uro Child Literary Award (2006)
- Rotary SEED Award (2011)
- National ICT Award (2017)
See also
In Spanish: Muhammed Zafar Iqbal para niños
