Editing Muhammed Zafar Iqbal

{{Short description|Bangladeshi scientist and writer}}
{{Other people5|Zafar Iqbal (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Muhammed Zafar Iqbal
| native_name        = মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল
| native_name_lang   = bn
| image              = Muhammed_Zafar_Iqbal_by_NKS(3).jpg
| caption            = Iqbal in 2022
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1952|12|23|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Sylhet]], Bangladesh
| death_date         =
| nationality        = Bangladeshi
| education          = PhD in [[physics]]
| alma_mater         = {{plainlist|
* [[Dhaka College]] ([[Higher Secondary Certificate|HSC]])
* [[University of Dhaka]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BSc]], [[Master of Science|MSc]])
* [[University of Washington]] (PhD)
}}
| spouse             = {{marriage|Yasmeen Haque|1978}}
| children           = {{Unbulleted list|Nabil Iqbal|Yeshim Iqbal}}
| relatives          = {{unbulleted list|[[Humayun Ahmed]] (brother)|[[Ahsan Habib (Cartoonist)|Ahsan Habib]] (brother)}}
| occupation         = {{hlist|[[Physicist]]|writer|columnist}}
| father             = [[Faizur Rahman Ahmed]]
| mother             = Ayesha Akhter Khatun
| awards             = {{plainlist|
* [[Bangla Academy Literary Award]] (2004),
* [[Dhaka University]] Alumni Association Medal (2005),
* [[Meril-Prothom Alo Awards|Meril-Prothom Alo Award]] for Best Playwright (2005),<ref>{{cite news|title=Meril-Prothom Alo awards for 2005 given|url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/05/13/d6051301118.htm|work=The Daily Star|access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>
* Best Storyteller, [[National Film Awards (Bangladesh)|National Film Award]] (2011),
* [[National Information and Communication Technology Awards|National ICT Award]] (2017)
}}
}}
'''Muhammed Zafar Iqbal''' ({{langx|bn|মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল}}; {{IPA|bn|muɦɔmmɔd dʒafor ikbal|pron}}; born 23 December 1952) is a Bangladeshi science fiction author, [[physicist]], academic, activist, former professor of [[computer science and engineering]], and former head of the department of [[Electrical and Electronic Engineering]] (EEE) at [[Shahjalal University of Science and Technology]] (SUST).  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|Computer Science and Engineering]]. He retired from his teaching profession in October 2018.

==Early life and education==
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was born on 23 December 1952 in [[Sylhet]] of the then [[East Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:ড. মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল |url=https://opinion.bdnews24.com/bangla/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2 |website=bdnews24.com |language=bn |access-date=8 April 2019 |archive-date=24 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524191345/https://opinion.bdnews24.com/bangla/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=bn:মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল |url=https://www.ntvbd.com/author/muhammed-zafar-iqbal |work=NTV |language=bn |access-date=8 April 2019}}</ref> His father, [[Faizur Rahman (police officer)|Faizur Rahman Ahmed]], was a police officer who was killed in the [[Liberation War of Bangladesh]]. His mother was Ayesha Akhter Khatun.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} He spent his childhood in different parts of Bangladesh because of the transferring nature of his father's job. His elder brother, [[Humayun Ahmed]], was a prominent writer and filmmaker.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/humayun-ahmed-dies |title=Humayun Ahmed dies |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=19 July 2012 |access-date=23 July 2012}}</ref> His younger brother, [[Ahsan Habib (Cartoonist)|Ahsan Habib]], is a cartoonist who is serving as the editor of the satirical magazine, ''[[Unmad]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unmadmagazine.com/ |title=Homepage |website=Unmad Magazine |access-date=8 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008214055/http://www.unmadmagazine.com/ |archive-date=8 October 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He has three sisters - Sufia Haider, Momtaz Shahid and Rukhsana Ahmed.<ref name=palo>{{cite news |url=http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-08-24/news/283390 |script-title=bn:হুমায়ূনের কবরে স্বজনেরা |language=bn |trans-title=Relatives at Humayun's grave |access-date=28 July 2018 |date=24 August 2012 |newspaper=Prothom Alo |archive-date=11 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911220836/http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-08-24/news/283390 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Iqbal passed the [[Secondary School Certificate|SSC]] exam from [[Bogra Zilla School]] in 1968 and the [[Higher Secondary (School) Certificate|HSC]] exam from [[Dhaka College]] in 1970.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/starinsight/2006/08/01/guru.htm |title=From Bogra : A Successful Seat of knowledge |author=Md.Mahbur Rahman |date=5 August 2006 |access-date=29 December 2015 |newspaper=The Daily Star}}</ref> He earned his bachelor's and master's in physics from the [[University of Dhaka]] in 1973 and 1974 respectively and then went to the [[University of Washington]] where he earned his Ph.D. in 1982.<ref name="sustprofile">{{cite web |title=Faculty Profile: Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal |url=https://www.sust.edu/institutes/0/faculty/4893 |website=Shahjalal University of Science and Technology}}</ref>

==Career==
===Academic===
After obtaining his PhD degree, Iqbal worked as a post-doctoral researcher at [[California Institute of Technology]] (Caltech) from 1983 to 1988 (mainly on Norman Bridge Laboratory of Physics).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Iqbal |first1=M.Z. |last2=Henrikson |first2=H.E. |last3=Mitchell |first3=L.W. |last4=O'Callaghan |first4=B.M.G. |last5=Thomas |first5=J. |last6=Wong |first6=H.T.-k. |date=September 1987 |title=Design and construction of a high pressure xenon time projection chamber |journal=Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment |volume=259 |issue=3 |pages=459–465 |doi=10.1016/0168-9002(87)90827-8 |bibcode=1987NIMPA.259..459I}}</ref> He then joined [[Bell Communications Research]] (Bellcore), a separate corporation from the Bell Labs (now [[Telcordia Technologies]]), as a research scientist.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Gee-Kung Chang |author2=Lars E. Eskildsen |author3=Evan L. Goldstein |author4=Muhammed Z. Iqbal |author5=Chinlon Lin |title=Self-regulating multiwavelength optical amplifier module for scalable lightwave communications systems |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US5392154A/en |website=Google Patents |publisher=Rembrandt IP Management LLC |access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Charles A. Brackett |author2=Gee-Kung Chang |author3=Muhammed Z. Iqbal |title=System for wavelength division multiplexing/asynchronous transfer mode switching for network communication |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US5550818A/en |website=Google Patents |publisher=Iconectiv LLC |access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Gee-Kung Chang |author2=Georgios Ellinas |author3=John K. Gamelin |author4=Muhammed Zafar Iqbal |author5=Mamun R. Rashid Khandker |title=Inter-ring cross-connect for survivable multi-wavelength optical communication networks |url=https://patents.justia.com/patent/6226111 |website=Justia Patents |publisher=Telcordia Technologies, Inc. (Morristown, NJ) |access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref> He left the institute in 1994.

According to Iqbal, he had always planned to return to Bangladesh. When, around 1992, he began seeking a teaching position at the University of Dhaka, he found the process labyrinthine. He eventually abandoned the idea of working there, and accepted an offer from SUST,<ref name="na1Jan2006">{{cite news |last1=Haider |first1=Mahtab |title=Muhammad Zafar Iqbal: A life in quantum leap |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes01.html |work=New Age |date=1 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060224200929/http://www.newagebd.com:80/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes01.html |archive-date=2006-02-24}}</ref> where he joined the computer science and engineering department and became its head.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ayesha Siddika Ratri |script-title=bn:মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল |trans-title=Muhammad Zafar Iqbal |url=http://gunijan.org.bd/GjProfDetails_action.php?GjProfId=67 |website=Gunijan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718044141/http://gunijan.org.bd:80/GjProfDetails_action.php?GjProfId=67 |archive-date=2010-07-18 |language=bn}}</ref>

Iqbal served as the vice president of [[Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad]] committee until 2024. He played a leading role in founding the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad and popularized mathematics among Bangladeshi youths at local and international level. In 2011, he won the Rotary SEED Award for his contribution in the field of education.<ref name=rotary>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-205393 |title=Zafar Iqbal gets Rotary SEED Award |newspaper=The Daily Star|date=6 October 2011|access-date=2 March 2013}}</ref>

On 26 November 2013, Iqbal and his wife professor Haque applied for resignation soon after the university authority had postponed the combined admission test for the SUST and [[Jashore University of Science and Technology|Jashore University of Science Technology]].<ref name="resigned">{{cite news| url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/zafar-iqbal-yasmeen-haque-resign |title=Zafar Iqbal, Yasmeen Haque resign |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=27 November 2013|access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> However they withdrew their resignation letters on the next day after the authority decided to go on with holding combined admission tests.<ref name="resigned cancelled">{{cite news | url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/zafar-iqbal-yasmeen-haque-withdraw-resignation |title=Zafar Iqbal, Yasmeen Haque withdraw resignation |newspaper=The Daily Star |access-date=29 November 2013}}</ref>

To make the [[National Curriculum and Textbook Board|NCTB]] text book "easy" and "learner friendly",<ref>{{Cite book |url= |title=Physics (Class 9-10) |date=November 2017 |publisher=National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) |edition=Revised |location=Dhaka, Bangladesh |at=Preface |language=}}</ref> in November 2017, there was a new revision of the [[Education in Bangladesh#Secondary education|secondary education]] class 9-10 text books for 2018, whose six books were revised under Iqbal and [[Mohammad Kaykobad]]'s leadership.<ref>{{Cite news |title=গাছ থেকে ছাগল নামছে, ওড়নার বদলে ওজন |language=Bengali |work=Prothomalo |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9B-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%93%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%A8 |access-date=17 January 2023}}</ref> He is also the first [[co-author]] and [[chief editor]] of multiple new NCTB text books of 2023 including class 7's text book "Science (Investigative Study)" where some lines and pictures were [[Plagiarism|plagiarised]] from different websites including [[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] Education Resource Library website and in case of [[Bengali language|Bangla]] Version of the text book, because of erroneous translation it was alleged that those texts were translated into Bangla "using [[Google Translate]]".<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 17, 2023 |title=Plagiarism in textbooks: NCTB seeks explanation from writers panel |work=Dhaka Tribune |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/education/302935/plagiarism-in-textbooks-nctb-seeks-explanation |access-date=January 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 2023 |script-title=bn:সপ্তম শ্রেণির বিজ্ঞান বই: হুবহু চুরি আর গুগলের অনুবাদে শিক্ষার্থীরা কী শিখবে? |language=bn |work=Prothom Alo |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/column/29mmae1mty |access-date=17 January 2023}}</ref> Later he admitted the issue of plagiarism and admitted his fault as the chief editor.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=17 January 2023 |title=Zafar Iqbal expresses sorrow over plagiarism in textbooks |work=Dhaka Tribune |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/education/302941/zafar-iqbal-expresses-sorrow-over-plagiarism-in |access-date=17 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:সপ্তম শ্রেণির বিজ্ঞান বই: তাঁরা লজ্জিত-বিব্রত হোন, আমরা তা আর চাই না |language=bn |work=Prothom Alo |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/column/y87c42qxfh |access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

===Literary===
Iqbal started writing stories at a very early age. He wrote his first science fiction short story at the age of seven.<ref name="na1Jan2006" /> While studying at the University of Dhaka, Iqbal's story "Kopotronik Bhalobasha" ("Copotronic Love") was published in the weekly ''[[Bichitra]]''. Later he wrote a series of Kopotronik stories and published them as a collection titled ''Copotronic Sukh Dukkhu''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Ahsan |first1=Shamim |title=Igniting Children's Imagination |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/magazine/2003/07/01/coverstory.htm |magazine=Star Magazine |date=4 July 2003}}</ref>

He wrote numerous books for teenagers, such as novels, science fiction, and adventure books. Several of his books are:
* {{transliteration|bn|Meku Kahini}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Shanta Poribar}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Kabil Kohlafi}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Dushtu Cheler dol}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Nitu o tar bondhura}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Dipu number 2}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Obonil}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Ikarus}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Pri}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Tritron ekti groher nam}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Amar Bondhu Rashed}}
* {{transliteration|bn|Haat Kata Robin}}

==Political stance==
Iqbal is known for his stance against [[Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh]] and has spearheaded criticism of its leaders, several of whom were undergoing trial at the [[International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh)|International Crimes Tribunal]] for their role in the [[Bangladesh liberation war|Bangladesh liberation war in 1971]].<ref name="BDN-1254">{{cite news|title=War crimes catch up with Jamaat|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/war-crimes-catch-up-with-jamaat|access-date=31 May 2014|newspaper=bdnews24.com|date=25 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="DT-123">{{Cite news|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/crime/60574/io-testifies-on-al-badr-leader-mir-kashem%E2%80%99s|title=IO testifies on al-Badr leader Mir Kashem's involvement in war crimes|date=10 April 2014|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=29 July 2018}}</ref> Iqbal's father was allegedly killed by Jamaat leader [[Delwar Hossain Sayeedi]].<ref name="BDN-256">{{cite news|title=War crimes investigator deceived court|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/war-crimes-trials/war-crimes-investigator-deceived-court|access-date=31 May 2014|newspaper=bdnews24.com|date=29 November 2012|quote=That list had such names as Jewel Aich, a famous magician, Shahriar Kabir, a long-time advocate for war crimes trials and Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, a noted writer and university teacher whose father had allegedly been killed, in part due to Sayedee's connivance with the Pakistani Army in Pirojpur.}}</ref> He came down heavily on a section of the media for their stand against holding the [[2014 Bangladeshi general election|10th parliamentary elections]] in Bangladesh on 5 January 2014, amid a boycott by the main opposition party, alleging that those who were calling for halting the electoral process were actually trying to ensure the participation of Jamaat-e-Islami in the election.<ref>{{cite news|title=Zafar Iqbal slams media|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/zafar-iqbal-slams-media-5496|access-date=27 May 2014|newspaper=Daily Star|date=5 January 2014}}</ref>

In support of the war crime trials carried out at the premises of the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh, he participated and featured prominently at the [[2013 Shahbag protests]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Shahbag protesters versus the Butcher of Mirpur|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/13/shahbag-protest-bangladesh-quader-mollah|access-date=27 May 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=12 February 2013|archive-date=6 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206145334/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/13/shahbag-protest-bangladesh-quader-mollah|url-status=live}}</ref>

Iqbal survived a stabbing attack in the head on 3 March 2018 in a prize-giving ceremony in SUST campus in Sylhet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Popular science fiction writer Zafar Iqbal stabbed in Bangladesh |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/popular-science-fiction-writer-zafar-iqbal-stabbed-in-bangladesh/article22920210.ece |access-date=3 March 2018 |work=The Hindu |date=3 March 2018}}</ref> Foyzur, the attacker, a 25-year-old male, was arrested after he had been beaten by the students.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prof Zafar Iqbal stabbed, to be taken to Dhaka |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/renowned-writer-prof-muhammed-zafar-iqbal-stabbed-by-miscreants-shahjalal-university-of-science-and-technology-campus-in-Sylhet-1542913 |access-date=3 March 2018 |work=The Daily Star |date=3 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:জাফর ইকবাল হত্যাচেষ্টা মামলায় সাক্ষ্যগ্রহণ শেষ |url=https://www.bd-pratidin.com/chayer-desh/2022/03/10/748540 |access-date=10 March 2022 |work=Bangladesh Pratidin |date=10 March 2022 |language=bn}}</ref> The attacker claimed that he had tried to kill him because the attacker believed he was an "enemy of Islam".<ref>{{cite news |title=I attacked Zafar Iqbal because he is an enemy of Islam |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/03/04/attacked-zafar-iqbal-enemy-islam/ |access-date=4 March 2018 |work=Dhaka Tribune |date=4 March 2018 |archive-date=4 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304172552/http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/03/04/attacked-zafar-iqbal-enemy-islam/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/3/13/bangladesh-why-was-science-fiction-writer-zafar-iqbal-attacked |title=Bangladesh: Why was science fiction writer Zafar Iqbal attacked? |author=Faisal Mahmud |work=Al Jazeera |access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/139630/%E2%80%98i-attacked-zafar-iqbal-because-he-is-an-enemy-of |title='I attacked Zafar Iqbal because he is an enemy of Islam' |work=Dhaka Tribune |date=4 March 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref>

Iqbal has been widely criticized for supporting<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:দুশ্চিন্তা নেই, দায়িত্বে আছেন শেখ হাসিনা: ড. জাফর ইকবাল |url=https://www.jugantor.com/country-news/590326/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%96-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A1.-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2 |access-date=2023-12-30 |work=Jugantor |language=bn |archive-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230140111/https://www.jugantor.com/country-news/590326/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%96-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A1.-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2 |url-status=live}}</ref> the current authoritarian regime<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2023-11-02 |title=Sheikh Hasina and the Future of Democracy in Bangladesh |url=https://time.com/6330463/bangladesh-sheikh-hasina-wazed-profile/ |access-date=2023-12-30 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104145458/https://time.com/6330463/bangladesh-sheikh-hasina-wazed-profile/ |url-status=live}}</ref> of Bangladesh. After the 2018 national election he stated<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 2019 |script-title=bn:নববর্ষের প্রত্যাশা |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/first-page/2019/01/01/721220 |access-date=2023-12-30 |work=Kaler Kantho}}</ref> that, people gave a grand victory to ruling authoritarian regime but later it was proved to be a staged election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-12-31 |script-title=bn:যেভাবে বিবিসির চোখে পড়লো ভোটের আগেই পূর্ণ ব্যালটবক্স |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-46720707 |access-date=2023-12-30 |work=BBC News |language=bn |archive-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230134608/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-46720707 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2025, an attempted murder case was filed against Iqbal over a student of Alia Madrasa getting injured in [[Old Dhaka]] during protests against former Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] in August 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-02 |title=হত্যাচেষ্টা মামলায় মামুনুর রশীদ, চঞ্চল, শাওনসহ ২০১ জন আসামি |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/osw2z68z9p |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Prothomalo |language=bn}}</ref>

==Works==
{{Main|Muhammed Zafar Iqbal bibliography}}
Iqbal is one of the pioneers of science fiction in the [[Bengali language]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Winds of Change and some Change Makers |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/campus/2010/04/02/camspotlight.htm |work=Star Campus |publisher=The Daily Star |date=2 April 2010 |access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> He mainly writes for younger readers. He has also written several non-fiction books on physics and mathematics. He writes columns in mainstream newspapers regularly.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Iqbal |first=Muhammed Zafar |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/ekush04/ekush03.html |title=Doing Science in Bangla |publisher=The Daily Star |date=21 February 2004 |access-date=28 July 2018 }}</ref> Zafar Iqbal also writes storylines for the famous Bengali "Dhaka Comics."

He writes a detective book series titled, [[Tuntuni o Chotachchu]]. Chotachchu is a short form of 'Choto Chachchu' which lexically translates to 'Small Uncle'; it means, '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==
[[File:Zafar Iqbal.JPG|right|thumb|Iqbal with his wife, Yasmeen Haque]]
Iqbal married Yasmeen Haque in 1978.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/zafar-iqbal-by-humayun-s-side|title=Zafar Iqbal by Humayun's side|author=Lovlu Ansar|date=7 July 2012|access-date=28 July 2018|newspaper=bdnews24.com}}</ref> She was the Dean of the Life Science Department and Professor of the Department of [[Physics]] at [[SUST]].<ref name=star>{{cite news |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/starinsight/2010/07/02/cover.htm|title=Dr. Yasmeen Haque: A Voice of Strength|date=17 July 2010|access-date=28 July 2018|work=Star Insight|publisher=The Daily Star|author=Rafi Hossain}}</ref> They have a son, Nabil Iqbal, working as a scientist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.classe.cornell.edu/~liepe/webpage/aboutalimni.html|title=Liepe Research Group: About us|website=www.classe.cornell.edu|access-date=2019-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.mit.edu/physics/current/awards/index.html|title=MIT Department of Physics|website=web.mit.edu|access-date=2019-02-17}}</ref> at [[Durham University]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/nabil-iqbal/|title=N Iqbal - Durham University|website=Durham University|access-date=2019-02-17}}</ref> and a daughter, Yeshim Iqbal, a research scientist at Global TIES for Children at [[New York University]] after completing her Ph.D. from the same institution.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yeshim Iqbal {{!}} NYU Steinhardt|url=https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/yeshim-iqbal|access-date=2021-12-01|website=steinhardt.nyu.edu|language=en}}</ref>

== Awards ==
[[File:Muhammed Zafar Iqbal at Borno Mela, Dhanmondi.JPG|thumb|upright|right|Iqbal at Borno Mela, Dhaka (February 2013)]]
* Agrani Bank Shishu Shahitto Award (2001)
* Quazi Mahbubulla Zebunnesa Award (2002)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* Khalekdad Chowdhury Literary Award (2003)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* Sheltech Literary Award (2003)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* Uro Child Literary Award (2004)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* Md. Mudabber-Husne ara literary Award (2005)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* Marcantile Bank Ltd. Award (2005)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* One of the 10 living Eminent Bengali (2005)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* American Alumni Association Award (2005)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* Dhaka University Alumni Association Award (2005)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* Sylhet Naittamoncho Award (2005)
* [[Bangla Academy Literary Award]] (2005)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://banglaacademy.org.bd/?page_id=1315 |script-title=bn:পুরস্কারপ্রাপ্তদের তালিকা |language=bn |trans-title=Winners list |access-date=23 August 2017 |publisher=Bangla Academy |archive-date=6 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606222807/http://banglaacademy.org.bd/?page_id=1315 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Best Playwright [[Meril Prothom Alo Awards]] (2005)
* Uro Child Literary Award (2006)<ref name="sustprofile" />
* Rotary SEED Award (2011)<ref name=rotary/>
* [[National Information and Communication Technology Awards|National ICT Award]] (2017)

== Controversies and criticism ==

He received criticism for endorsing anti-Islamic activities referenced in [[Shah Ahmad Shafi]]'s open letter named ''[[An Open Letter from Shah Ahmad Shafi to the Government and the Public]]'' related to the [[2013 Shahbag protests|Shahbag protests]] in 2013.<ref name=":WP">{{Cite book |title=[[White Paper: 2000 Days of Fundamentalist and Communal Violence in Bangladesh]] |publisher=Public Commission to Investigate Fundamentalist and Communal Terrorism |year=2022 |location=Dhaka |page=52 |language=bn}}</ref> In 2023, under the government's new education policy, changes were made to books of various classes. Zafar Iqbal was a co-author and the chief editor of several new textbooks, including the 7th-grade textbook. However, after the publication of the "Science (Investigative Reading)" textbook, accusations of plagiarism and mechanical translation arose.<ref name="pro">{{Cite news |last=Mahmud |first=Nadim |date=2023-01-20 |script-title=bn:সপ্তম শ্রেণির বিজ্ঞান বই: হুবহু চুরি আর গুগলের অনুবাদে শিক্ষার্থীরা কী শিখবে? |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/column/29mmae1mty |access-date=2024-07-18 |language=bn}}</ref> Later, Zafar Iqbal acknowledged his mistake regarding the book and, in a joint statement with Hasina Khan, stated, "This year the experimental version of the book has been launched, and there is ample opportunity for revision and editing in the next academic year."<ref name="ban">{{Cite news |date=2023-01-17 |script-title=bn:পাঠ্যবই নিয়ে অভিযোগ: দায় স্বীকার করলেন জাফর ইকবাল ও হাসিনা খান |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/education/news/bd/1034521.details |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121085617/https://www.banglanews24.com/education/news/bd/1034521.details |access-date=2024-07-18 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-17 |title=Zafar Iqbal expresses sorrow over plagiarism in textbooks |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref>

On July 16, 2024, during the [[2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement|quota reform movement]], he expressed his dismay at the slogan '[[Razakar|Rajakar]]' by writing, "Dhaka University is my university, my beloved university. However, I feel that I will never want to go to this university again. When I see the students, I will think, these might be the 'Rajakars'. And for the rest of my life, I do not want to see the face of any Rajakar. There is only one life, so why should I have to see Rajakars again in that life?" This comment led to criticism on social media, and on the same day, several bookstores in Bangladesh, including [[Rokomari]], stopped selling his books.<ref name="tbs">{{Cite news |date=2024-07-16 |title='I will never want to go to Dhaka University again': Dr Zafar Iqbal |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/i-will-never-want-dhaka-university-again-dr-zafar-iqbal-900926 |access-date=2024-07-18 |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, students at SUST declared him unwanted at the institution.<ref name="obs">{{Cite news |title=Dr Zafar Iqbal declared unwanted at SUST |url=https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=481697 |work=The Daily Observer |access-date=2024-07-18}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Attacks on Muhammad Zafar Iqbal]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{commons-inline}}
* {{IMDb name|4465031}}
* [https://www.mendeley.com/authors/7201581350/ Muhammed Zafar Iqbal] on [[Mendeley]]

{{Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Story}}
{{Meril-Prothom Alo Critics Choice Award for Best Playwright}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iqbal, Muhammed Zafar}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Sylhet]]
[[Category:Family of Humayun Ahmed]]
[[Category:Dhaka College alumni]]
[[Category:University of Dhaka alumni]]
[[Category:University of Washington alumni]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi science fiction writers]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi physicists]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi male writers]]
[[Category:Bengali writers]]
[[Category:Bengali-language writers]]
[[Category:Bengali-language science fiction writers]]
[[Category:Recipients of Bangla Academy Award]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi textbook writers]]
[[Category:Best Story National Film Award (Bangladesh) winners]]
[[Category:Male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Bogra Zilla School alumni]]
[[Category:Opposers of the July Revolution (Bangladesh)]]