Muhammed Zafar Iqbal
Encyclopedia
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal (born December 23, 1952) is a Bangladesh
i writer of children’s books and science-fiction and also a well-known political columnist
. He is a professor of Computer Science & Engineering at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
, though originally educated as a physicist.
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was born on 23 December 1952 in Sylhet
. His father, Foyzur Rahman Ahmed was a police officer and because of his father's occupation, he traveled to various parts of the country as a child. Zafar Iqbal was inspired by his father for writing at an early life and wrote his first science fiction at the age of seven. On 5 May 1971, the Pakistan Army captured his father and killed him in front of a river. Iqbal had to dig his father’s grave to convince his mother of her husband's death.
in 1968 and HSC in 1970 from Dhaka College
. He got admitted to Dhaka University at the department of Physics in 1972. In 1976, Zafar Iqbal went to University of Washington
in the USA to obtain his Ph. D. There he again met his Dhaka University classmate Yasmeen Haque, and in 1978 they were married. In 1994, Iqbal returned to his homeland, something he had planned to do since the day he left. He and his wife have two children, son Nabil and daughter Yeshim, who translated the book "Amar Bondhu Rashed" (Rashed, my friend) written by her father. His elder brother Humayun Ahmed
is considered one of the most popular writers of Bangla Language. His younger brother Ahsan Habib
is the editor of the satirical magazine, Unmad
(Mad), a cartoonist as well as a popular writer.
and graduated in 1975. He obtained his PhD from the University of Washington
in 1982. He completed his post-doctoral training at the California Institute of Technology
from 1983 to 1988. He joined Bell Communications Research (Bellcore), a separate corporation from the Bell Labs, which is now known as Telcordia Technologies
, in 1988 and worked there as a Research Scientist until 1994. Since 1994 he has been a professor and the Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
. His wife Professor Dr. Yasmeen Haque is the head of the Department of Physics
at the same university.
Also notable that many famous dramas and cinemas of Bangladesh were made based on novels of Muhammed Jafar Iqbal namely Shukno Ful-Rongin Ful, Bubuner Baba, Hat Kata Robin, Shat Char Dui, Dipu Number Two, Amar Bondhu Rashed etc. He has also written some dramas for different television channels. Notably, an animated film was made a year ago on his science fiction Tratuler Jogot.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
i writer of children’s books and science-fiction and also a well-known political columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
. He is a professor of Computer Science & Engineering at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, commonly known by its initials SUST, is a state supported public research university located in Sylhet, Bangladesh. It is the first specialized Science & technology University of the country. The medium of instructions is English...
, though originally educated as a physicist.
Early life
Sylhet
Sylhet , is a major city in north-eastern Bangladesh. It is the main city of Sylhet Division and Sylhet District, and was granted metropolitan city status in March 2009. Sylhet is located on the banks of the Surma Valley and is surrounded by the Jaintia, Khasi and Tripura hills...
. His father, Foyzur Rahman Ahmed was a police officer and because of his father's occupation, he traveled to various parts of the country as a child. Zafar Iqbal was inspired by his father for writing at an early life and wrote his first science fiction at the age of seven. On 5 May 1971, the Pakistan Army captured his father and killed him in front of a river. Iqbal had to dig his father’s grave to convince his mother of her husband's death.
Education and Career
He passed SSC from Bogra Zilla SchoolBogra Zilla School
Bogra Zilla School is the oldest high school in the Bogra district of Bangladesh and one of the top-ranked schools in the country. It provides education from class three to class ten . It was a private English medium school before becoming a public school.-History:Bogra Zilla School was...
in 1968 and HSC in 1970 from Dhaka College
Dhaka College
, located in Dhaka, is one of Bangladesh's earliest and most prestigious higher educational institutions. It offers both four years bachelor's and one years masters course in various majors, but it is best known for HSC...
. He got admitted to Dhaka University at the department of Physics in 1972. In 1976, Zafar Iqbal went to University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
in the USA to obtain his Ph. D. There he again met his Dhaka University classmate Yasmeen Haque, and in 1978 they were married. In 1994, Iqbal returned to his homeland, something he had planned to do since the day he left. He and his wife have two children, son Nabil and daughter Yeshim, who translated the book "Amar Bondhu Rashed" (Rashed, my friend) written by her father. His elder brother Humayun Ahmed
Humayun Ahmed
Humayun Ahmed is a Bangladeshi author, dramatist and director of film and television. He broke through since the publication of his first novel, Nandita Naraké...
is considered one of the most popular writers of Bangla Language. His younger brother Ahsan Habib
Ahsan Habib (cartoonist)
Ahsan Habib is a Bangladeshi cartoonist, writer and editor of Unmad, the popular satire magazine.-Family:Ahsan is the third son of Foyezur Rahman and Ayesha Foyez. His father, a police officer, was killed by the Pakistani army during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Elder brother Humayun...
is the editor of the satirical magazine, Unmad
Unmad
"UNmad" is a Bangladeshi humor magazine, which was founded by Ishtiaq Hossain and Kazi Khalid Ashraf in 1978. "UNmad" is a Bengali word, which means 'paranoid', or, 'mad'...
(Mad), a cartoonist as well as a popular writer.
Life and career
Iqbal studied Physics at the University of DhakaUniversity of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka is the oldest university in Bangladesh. It is a multi-disciplinary research university and is among the top universities in the region. Established on July 21, 1921, as per the Government of India Act, 1920, it was modelled on the Universities in England and soon gained...
and graduated in 1975. He obtained his PhD from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
in 1982. He completed his post-doctoral training at the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
from 1983 to 1988. He joined Bell Communications Research (Bellcore), a separate corporation from the Bell Labs, which is now known as Telcordia Technologies
Telcordia Technologies
Telcordia Technologies, formerly Bell Communications Research, Inc. or Bellcore, is a telecommunications research and development company based in the United States created as part of the 1982 Modification of Final Judgment that broke up American Telephone & Telegraph...
, in 1988 and worked there as a Research Scientist until 1994. Since 1994 he has been a professor and the Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, commonly known by its initials SUST, is a state supported public research university located in Sylhet, Bangladesh. It is the first specialized Science & technology University of the country. The medium of instructions is English...
. His wife Professor Dr. Yasmeen Haque is the head of the Department of Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at the same university.
Science Fiction
- Kopotrônic Shukh Dukkho (Copotronic Joy and Sorrow, 1976)
- Môhakashe Môhatrash (Peril in Space, 1977)
- Krugo (1988)
- Biggani Sôfdor Alir Môha Môha Abishkar (The Great Inventions of Sofdor Ali the Scientist, 1992)
- Tukunjil (Tukunzeel, 1993)
- Omikrônik Rupantôr (Omicronic metamorphosis, 1993)
- Sistem Ediphas (System Edifas)
- Pri (Earth, 1997)
- Taitrôn Ekti Groher Nam (Titron, the Name of a Planet, 1988)
- Ekjon Otimanobi (A Superwoman)
- Nôy Nôy Sunno Tin (Nine Nine Zero Three)
- ChromiumChromiumChromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6. It is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. It is also odorless, tasteless, and malleable...
Ôronno (The Cromium Forest) - Metsis (Metsys, 1999)
- Nishôngo Grohochari (The Lonely Planetary Traveler)
- Jôloj (Born in Water, 2000)
- Robonôgori (A City of Robots)
- Irôn (Eeron)
- Project Nebiula (Project Nebula, 2001)
- Ôbonil (Infra-blue, 2004)
- Fobiner Jatri (The Traveller of Fobean)
- Ruhan Ruhan (2006)
- Nayira (Nayeera)
- Sayra Scientist (Saira The Scientist)
- Shahnaj O kêpten Dabliu (Shahnaz and Captain W)
- Tratuler Jôgot (Tratul's World)(2002)
- Ţriniţri Rashimala (The Trinitry Sequence) (1995)
- Ţuki O Jhayer (Pray) Dushshahoshik Obhijan (The (Almost) Dauntless Adventures of Tuki and Jha)
- Jara Bayobôt (The Biological Robots) (1993)
- Onurôn Golok (Resonance Orb)(1996)
- Amra O Krêb Nebiula (The Crab Nebula and Hog Plum, 2000)
- Ôndhokarer Groho (Planet of Darkness)(2008)
- Biggani Ônik Lumba ([Anik Lumba the Scientist])
- Icaras (2009) (Icarus)
- Ôctopaser Chokh (The Eyes Of OctopusOctopusThe octopus is a cephalopod mollusc of the order Octopoda. Octopuses have two eyes and four pairs of arms, and like other cephalopods they are bilaterally symmetric. An octopus has a hard beak, with its mouth at the center point of the arms...
, 2009) - Jôlmanob [Man of Water] (2007)
- Phiniks (Phoenix)
- Shuhaner Shôpno (Suhan's dream)
- Beji (Mongoose)
- Robonishi (2010)
- Prodiji (2011) (Prodiji)
Children's Adventures
- Amar Bondhu Rashed (Rashed My Friend)
- Ami Topu (I am Topu)
- AAdh Dojon School
- Bachcha Bhoyonkor Kachcha Bhoyonkor (Children Are Dangerous)
- Bokulappu
- Brishtir Thikana (Address of Rain)
- Bubuner Baba (Bubun's Father)
- Chelemanushi (Childish)
- Dipu Number Two
- Dosshi Kojon (Little Pirates)
- Dushto Cheler Dol (Naughty Boys' Gang)
- Hatkata Robin
- Jarul Chowdhurir Manikjorr
- Kajoler Dinratri (Day and Night of Kajol)
- Kaabil Kohkafi
- Litu Brittanto (Story of Litu)
- Nat-Boltu
- Nitu O Taar Bondhura (Nitu and Her Friends)
- Raju O Agunalir Bhoot (Raju and the Ghost of Agunali)
- Schooler Naam Pothochari (A School named Pothochari)
- T-Rexer Sondhane (In Search of T-Rex)
- Tinni o Bonna (Tinni and Bonna)
- Rasha (2010)
- Mayetir nam Narina (a Girl named Narina)(2009)
- Labu elo shohore (Labu comes to town)
Math and science
- Dekha Alor Na Dekha Rup (Seen Light Unseen Charm) (1986)
- Neurone Onuronon (with Mohammad KaykobadMohammad KaykobadMohammad Kaykobad is a computer scientist, educator, author and columnist from Bangladesh. He is one of leading specialists in Information Technology who along with Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, started the national mathematics olympiad...
)(2002) - Neurone Abaro Onuronon (with Mohammad Kaykobad)(2003)
- Gonit Abong Aro Gonit (Maths and More Maths) (with Zakaria Swapan)
- Bigganer Eksho Mojar Khela (100 Interesting Games of Science)
- Goniter Moja, Mojar Gonit (Fun of Math, Funny Math)
- Aktukhani Bigyan (A Little Science) (2007)
- Theory Of Relativity (2008)
- Quantum Mechanics (2009)
- Aro Aktukhani Bigyan ( Á little bit more science)
- bigyan o gonit shomogro (collection of science and math)(2011)
Other works
- Pret (The Spirit)
- Tomader Prosno Amar Uttor (Your questions,my answers)
- Beesh Bochor Pore (As an editor)
- 2030 Saler Ekdin O Onnano (A Day in 2030 and Others)
- Dusuopner Ditio Prohor (The Second Phase of a Nightmare)
- Muhabbat Alir Ekdin (A Day of Muhabbat Ali)
- Chhayaleen
- Akash Bariye Dao
- Biborno Tushar (Withering Snow)
- O
- Rongin Choshma [Colorful Glasses]
- Danob [Monster](2009)
- Pishachini (Cruel Witch)
- Modhya Ratrite Tinjon Durbhaga Torun
- Sobuj Valvet (Green Valvet)
- Ikaras
- Himghore Ghum O Onnanno
- Dhaka Namer Shohor O Onnanno
- Shadashidhe Kotha
- Bijoyee Hobe Bangladesh(Bangladesh will be Victroious)
- Omanush
- Ak Tukra Lal Shobuj Kapor(2010)
- America
- Desher Baire Desh
- Nihshongo Bochon(Lonely Words)
- Natok Shomogro
Also notable that many famous dramas and cinemas of Bangladesh were made based on novels of Muhammed Jafar Iqbal namely Shukno Ful-Rongin Ful, Bubuner Baba, Hat Kata Robin, Shat Char Dui, Dipu Number Two, Amar Bondhu Rashed etc. He has also written some dramas for different television channels. Notably, an animated film was made a year ago on his science fiction Tratuler Jogot.
See also
- A column by Iqbal
- Head, CSE Dept. SUST
- Muhammad Zafar Iqbal: A life in quantum leap (New Age magazine, 2005)