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The man credited with coining the name ‘Tanzania’, Mohammed Iqbal Dar, has passed away at the age of 80 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. He had been battling a long illness that left him unable to walk for nearly a decade.
Born on August 8, 1944, in Tanga, Tanzania, Dar was the son of Dr. Tufail Ahmad Dar, a well-respected doctor who served in the Tanga and Morogoro regions. He attended H.H. The Aga Khan School for his early education before joining Mzumbe Secondary School in 1964.
It was during his time at Mzumbe that he came across a newspaper advertisement inviting people to propose a name for the newly united Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Inspired by the opportunity to contribute to his country’s identity, Dar submitted the name ‘Tanzania’. His idea blended the first three letters of ‘Tanganyika’ (TAN) and ‘Zanzibar’ (ZAN), adding an ‘I’ to symbolize his Islamic faith and an ‘A’ in honor of his affiliation with the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
His submission was selected as the winning entry, earning him a cash prize of 200 Tanzanian shillings and a medal, which was presented by the then Minister for Information, Sheikh Idrisa Abdul Wakil.
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Though he moved to the UK in 1965, Dar never lost his connection to Tanzania. He visited the country multiple times and took part in humanitarian projects that helped communities regardless of religious or social background. He was also an active member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, regularly attending events.
His contribution to Tanzania’s national identity remains an important part of the country’s history. Even decades after submitting the name, his role in shaping the nation lives on.
With his passing, Tanzania has lost a figure whose idea helped define the country. However, his legacy will remain as long as the name ‘Tanzania’ is spoken.
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