Muhammed Zafar Iqbal

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal (Bangla: মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল) (born December 23,1952) is a Bangladeshi academian, scientist, writer of children’s books and science-fiction and columnist. He is a professor of Computer Science at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. Iqbal is a science fiction writer in the Bangla language. He was elected as one of the best ten living Bangali.^{[citation needed]}

Family

His father, a police officer, Foyzur Rahman was murdered by the Pakistani army during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Elder brother Humayun Ahmed is the living legend, most popular writer of Bangla Language. Younger brother Ahsan Habib (Cartoonist) is the editor of `Unmad' and a cartoonist as well as popular writer. Wife, Dr. Yasmeen Haque, a scientist, teaching in the dept. of Physics, Shah jalal University of Science and Technology(SUST). His son is Nabil and daughter Yeshim who translated a book written by her father.

Childhood

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was born in Sylhet. His childhood was spent in Sylhet, Jagdal, Panchagarh, Rangamati, Bandarban, Chittagong, Bogra, Comilla and Pirojpur.

Life and career

Iqbal studied Physics at the University of Dhaka and graduated in 1975. He obtained his PhD from the University of Washington in 1982. He had a distinguished career at Caltech and then worked for the Bell Labs in New Jersey.

Literature

Zafar Iqbal started writing since his college days and became very popular with his teen-adventure novels, a rarity in Bangla literature in the late 1970s. His writing career was interrupted when he came to study and work in the USA. While abroad, his first two science fiction books came out, meeting great critical and popular acclaim. He returned to Bangladesh in early 1990s, leaving his successful career in the US, and joined a Shahjalal University of Science and Technology to teach Physics and Computer Science. After his return, he took up the causes of promoting science to young children, building a first-rate science education program at the university, and promoting freedom of thought. His latter cause and his opposition to the religious fundamentalism put him in direct conflict with the religious fanatics.

Although he writes fiction and non-fiction for grown-ups, he is at his creative best with his novels for adolescents. The young people in his novels are everyday boys and girls, seek and find adventure in their otherwise unremarkable and modest lives. They go through tough times with wonderful sense of optimism and wide eyed curiosity. A couple of his novels have been made into motion pictures.

Columns

Iqbal writes a regular column in the popular Daily Prothom Alo called Sadha-Sidhe Kotha (Simple Talk). He has written numerous columns apart from this regular one as well.

Science and mathematics

Iqbal, together with Mohammad Kaykobad, started the Mathematics Festival in Bangladesh, probably the first attempt to popularize recreational (and serious) mathematics in Bangladesh. This led to Bangladesh attending the International Mathematical Olympiad for the first time in 2005.

Threats on Him

In an open public meeting, Iqbal was threatened by the fundamentalists though he never took a position against religion as Taslima Nasrin or Humayun Azad did. Even minor bombing has occurred. He was threated by the members of "Bangladesh Islami Chatroshibir" in August 2006 at his University Campus.

Literary Works

Science Fiction

Kopotronik Sukh-Dukkho (Copotronic Joy and Sorrow) (1976)
Omikronik Rupantor (Omicronic metamorphosis)
System Ediphas
Obonil (Infra-Blue) (2004)
Crugo
Triton Ekti Groher Nam (Triton, the Name of a Planet)
Ekjon Otimanobi (A Superlady)
Noy Noy Sunno Tin (Nine Nine Zero Three)
Cromium Oronno (The Cromium Forest}
Metsys (1999)
Nishongo Grohochari (The Lone Planatery Traveler)
Jolojo (Born in Water) (2000)
Robonogori (A City of Robots)
Eron
Project Nebula (2001)
Fobeaner Jatri (The Traveller of Fobean)
Ruhan Ruhan (2006)
Nayeera
Pri (1997)
Saira Scientist (Saira, The Scientist)
Biggani Sofdor Alir Moha Moha Abiskar (The Great Inventions of Sofdor Ali, the Scientist) (1992)
Dekha Alo, Na dekha Rup (1986)
Mohakashe Moha Tras
Sahnaz O Captain Dablu
Phoenix (2003)
Tratuler Jagat (2002)
Trinitry Rashimala (The Trinitry Sequence) (1995)
Tuki O Jhayer (Pray) Dusshahoshik Obhijan (The Brave (Almost) Adventures of Tuki and Jha)
Jara Biobot (The Biological Robots) (1993)
Onuron Golok (1996)
Amra O Crab Nebula (2000)

Children's Adventures

Dipu Number Two
Raju O Agunalir Voot (Raju and the Ghost of Agunali)
Bokulappu
Bachcha Voyonkor Kachcha Voyonkor
Bubuner Baba (Bubun's Father)
Nitu O Taar Bondhura (Nitu and Her Friends)
Schooler Naam Pothochari
Jarul Chowdhurir Manikjorr
Hatkata Robin
Dushto Cheler Dol (Bad Boys Gang)
Amar Bondhu Rashed (Rashed My Friend)
Ami Topu (I am Topu)
Schooler Nam Pothochari (The Name Of The School Was Pothochari)
Litu Brittanto (Story of Litu)
Dosshi Kojon (Little Pirates)
T-Rexer Sondhane (In Search of T-Rex)
Chelemanushi (Childish)

Math & Science

Neurone Onuronon (Jointly with Mohammad Kaykobad)(2002)
Neurone Onuronon 2 (Jointly with Mohammad Kaykobad)(2003)
Gonit Abong Aro Gonit (Jointly with Zakaria Swapan)
Bigganer Ekso Mojar Khela (100 Interesting Games of Science)

Other Works

Pret
Tomader Prosno Amar Uttor
Beesh Bochor Pore (As an editor)
2030 Saler Ekdin O Onnano
Dusuopner Ditio Prohor (The Second Phase of a Nightmare)
Muhabbat Alir Ekdin (One Day in the Life of Muhabbat Ali)
Chhayaleen
Aktukhani Biggan(february 2007)
Akas Bariye Dao (Extend the Sky)
Biborno Tushar (Withering Snow)

Filmography

Dipu Number 2

Moreover, many novels and stories are converted into plays and TV serials and even animated movies.

External links

All the SciFi and HiFi from the popular Pen