Mohammed Iqbal Dar, scholar who gave Tanzania its name, dies in UK aged 80
His contribution to the country's identity remains an enduring part of Tanzania’s history, ensuring his name lives on through the nation he helped define.
Mohammed Iqbal Dar, the man credited with coining the name 'Tanzania', has passed away at the age of 80 in Birmingham, United Kingdom, where he had been residing since 1965.
His death follows a prolonged illness that left him confined to his home for nearly a decade.
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Born on August 8, 1944, in Tanga, Tanzania, Mohammed was the son of Dr Tufail Ahmad Dar, a respected doctor who served in the Tanga and Morogoro regions.
He received his primary and secondary school education at H.H. The Aga Khan School before joining Mzumbe Secondary School in 1964.
While at Mzumbe, he saw an advertisement in The Standard newspaper calling for suggestions for a new name to represent the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Inspired, Mohammed submitted his idea, which was ultimately chosen as the winning name.
He was awarded Sh200 and a medal, which was presented to him by the then Minister for Information, Sheikh Idrisa Abdul Wakil.
Despite moving to the UK, Mohammed remained connected to Tanzania, frequently visiting the country and engaging in humanitarian work that transcended religious affiliations.
He was also an active participant in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jalsa Salana, an annual event in Tanzania.
In past interviews, Mohammed detailed how he arrived at the name Tanzania.
He explained that he combined the first three letters of Tanganyika (TAN) and Zanzibar (ZAN), then incorporated an 'I' from his name, Iqbal, and his Islamic faith. Lastly, he added an 'A' to acknowledge his affiliation with the Ahmadiyya Muslim sect, forming 'Tanzania.'
Throughout his life, Mohammed held a deep love for his homeland.
His contribution to the country's identity remains an enduring part of Tanzania’s history, ensuring his name lives on through the nation he helped define.
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