Muhammed Zafar Iqbal - A Multi Talented Genius

Biography 

December 14   |  written By Farah Islam 

Yes, we are speaking about Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, a Bangladeshi science fiction author, academic, activist & former professor of computer science and engineering and former head of the department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).He is considered as one of Bangladesh's top science fiction writer. He achieved his PhD from University of Washington. After working 18 years as a scientist at California Institute of Technology and Bell Communications Research, he returned to Bangladesh and joined Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as a professor of Computer Science and Engineering . He retired from his teaching profession in October, 2018.

 

Early Life of Muhammed Zafar Iqbal:

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was born on 23 December, 1952, in Sylhet, then East Pakistan. Faizur Rahman Ahmed, his father, was a policeman who died fighting for Bangladesh's independence. Ayesha Akhter Khatun was his mother. He was raised with two siblings. He began writing at an early age through his father's motivation. When he was seven years old, he published his first collection of short stories. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal received his secondary education at Bogra Zilla School, from which he received his diploma in 1968. He graduated from college with an upper school diploma in 1970. He earned a Bachelor of science in Physics from Dhaka University in 1976. Later,  he enrolled at the university of Washington where he graduated with a PhD in 1982.

Career life of Muhammed Zafar Iqbal:

When Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was a student at Dhaka College, he published his first short story, titled "Copotronik Love." His article appeared in the neighborhood publication Bichitra. Later, he revised the narrative and published it as "Copotronic Joy and Sorrows." He publishes children's books, nonfiction, and science fiction. He is most recognized for his science fiction and children's book writing. He began his post-doctoral research career in 1983 at the California Institute of Technology. He worked for Bell Communications Research as a research scientist in 1988. He left his position in 1994 and returned to Bangladesh. He started out by instructing at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology's Computer Science and Engineering Department in Bangladesh. Later, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was chosen to lead the department of electrical and electronic engineering, a position he still holds now. Among other books, he wrote "Theory of Relativity," "Quantum Mechanics," "Anima," and "Sobuj Velvet." Numerous dramas and movies have been made from his books and novels. Among other novels, these books include "Amar Bondhu Rahsed" and "Bubuner Baba." 

Awards and Achievements of Zafar Iqbal: 

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal received the Shishu Sahitya Award from the Shishu Academy and Agrani Bank in 2001. He was given the Qazi Mahbubulla Zebunnesa Award in 2002. In 2003, he was the recipient of the Khalekdad Chowdhury Literary and Sheltech Literary Awards. He was honored with the Uro Child Literary Award and the Bangla Academy Award in 2004.

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal received three honors in 2005: the Sylhet Naittamoncho Award, the American Alimony Association Award, and the Dhaka University Alimony Association Award. He received the SEED Award in 2011 for his work in the field of education.

Personal life of Zafar Iqbal:

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal married Dr. Yasmeen Haque in 1978; the couple has two children together: Nabil (son) and Yeshim (daughter). At the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, his wife serves as both the head of the physics department and the dean of the life sciences division. The children's book he wrote, "Amar Bondhu Rashed," or "Rashed, My Friend," has been translated by his daughter and published.

Humayun Ahmed and Ahsan Habib were the two siblings of Muhammad Zafar Iqbal. While Ahsan Habib is a cartoonist and the editor of the satirical magazine Unmad, Humayun was a well-known novelist and director. If translated, Unmad magazine would be Mad.

Political stance of Zafar Iqbal:

Iqbal has led criticism of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh's leaders, some of whom were standing trial at the International Crimes Tribunal for their participation in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Iqbal is well known for his opposition to the group. Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, the leader of the Jamaat, is accused of killing Iqbal's father. He harshly criticized a portion of the media for its stance against holding Bangladesh's 10th parliamentary elections on January 5, 2013, despite the main opposition party's boycott. He claimed that those who were calling for the electoral process to be stopped were actually attempting to ensure Jamaat-e-participation Islami's in the election.

He took part in and made a big impression at the 2013 Shahbag protests in support of the war crime proceedings taking place at the International Crimes Tribunal's facilities in Bangladesh.

Iqbal managed to survive a head stabbing on March 3, 2018, at a prize-giving ceremony at the SUST campus in Sylhet. After being assaulted by the students, the perpetrator, a male 25 years old, was taken into custody. Because the assailant thought the victim was a "enemy of Islam," the attacker claimed that he had attempted to kill him.

About me:

 Farah Islam is a 2nd semester student in the BBA department of BRAC University. Born in 2003 in Dhaka, she lived most of her in the city. She completed her SSC from Monipur High School and College and later completed her HSC from Saheed Police Smrity College. Besides spending the bare minimum amount of time studying, she spends most of her time doing the stuff she loves, like reading adventure books and comics.