Muhammed Zafar Iqbal (born December 23, 1952) is a very popular Bangladeshi writer of children’s books and science-fiction and also a well-known columnist. He is a professor of Computer Science at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, though originally educated as a physicist. His father, Foyzur Rahman Ahmed was a police officer. Zafar Iqbal was inspired by his father for writing at an early life and wrote his first science fiction at the age of seven.
Iqbal studied Physics at the University of Dhaka 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), which is now known as Telcordia Technologies in 1988 and worked there as a Research Scientist until 1994. Since 1994 he is a professor and the Head of the Department of the Computer Science and Engineering of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. Iqbal is the holder of several US Patents.
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 career in the US, and joined Shahjalal University of Science and Technology to teach Computer Science and also Physics. 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, seeking and finding adventure in their otherwise unremarkable and modest lives. They go through tough times with a wonderful sense of optimism and wide-eyed curiosity. A couple of his novels have been made into motion pictures.
Awards Bangla Academy Award, 2004; Best dramatist award in the Meril-Prothom Alo Awards in 2005
Science Fiction Copotronic Joy and Sorrow (1976); Peril in Space(1977); Crugo (1988); Tukunzil (1993); Omikronik Rupantor (Omicronic metamorphosis)(1993); System Ediphas; Obonil (Infra-Blue) (2004); Triton Ekti Groher Nam (Triton, the Name of a Planet)(1988); Ekjon Otimanobi (A Superwoman); Noy Noy Sunno Tin (Nine Nine Zero Three); Cromium Oronno (The Cromium Forest}; Metsys (1999); Nishongo Grohochari (The Lone Planetary 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); Sahnaz O Captain Dablu (Shahnaz and Captain W); Tratuler Jagat (Tratul’s World)(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 (Resonance Orb)(1996); Amra O Crab Nebula (2000); Andhokarer Groho (Planet of Darkness)(2008); Biggyani Anik Lumba [Anik Lumba the Scientist; Ikaras (2009); Octopuser Chokh {Eye Of Octopus] (2009)
Children’s Adventures Amar Bondhu Rashed (Rashed My Friend); Ami Topu (I am Topu); Bachcha Voyonkor Kachcha Voyonkor (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 (Bad Boys Gang); Hatkata Robin; Jarul Chowdhurir Manikjorr; Kajoler Dinratri (Day and Night of Kajol); Litu Brittanto (Story of Litu); Nat-Boltu; Nitu O Taar Bondhura (Nitu and Her Friends); Raju O Agunalir Voot (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)
Math and science Dekha Alor Na Dekha Rup (Seen Light Unseen Charm) (1986); Neurone Onuronon (with Mohammad Kaykobad)(2002); Neurone Onuronon 2 (with Mohammad Kaykobad)(2003); Gonit Abong Aro Gonit (Maths and More Maths) (with Zakaria Swapan); Bigganer Ekso 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)
Other Works Pret (The Spirit); 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 (A Day in the Life of Muhabbat Ali); Chhayaleen; Aktukhani Biggan(February 2007); Akas Bariye Dao; Biborno Tushar (Withering Snow); O; Rongin Choshma [Colorful Glasses]; anob [Monster](2009)