Mohammed Iqbal Dar, the Man Who Named Tanzania, Dies at 80

Mohammed Iqbal Dar, the man credited with creating the name “Tanzania,” passed away at 80 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. He died in his sleep on Monday, March 3rd, following a prolonged illness.

Born on August 8th, 1944, in Tanga, Tanzania, Dar was the son of Dr. Tufail Ahmad Dar, a respected physician. He attended H.H. The Aga Khan School before enrolling at Mzumbe Secondary School in 1964.

While studying at Mzumbe, Dar took part in a public competition announced in The Standard newspaper, which invited suggestions for naming the newly united Tanganyika and Zanzibar. His entry, “Tanzania,” was selected as the winner, earning him a Sh200 reward and a medal, which was presented by then-Minister for Information, Sheikh Idrisa Abdul Wakil. Dar later explained that he formed the name by combining “Tan” from Tanganyika and “Zan” from Zanzibar, incorporating an “I” from his own name and an “A” as a nod to his faith and affiliation with the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.

In 1965, Dar moved to the United Kingdom but remained connected to Tanzania through frequent visits and humanitarian efforts. He was known as a scholar and political analyst, contributing to discussions on Tanzanian governance and history. He also participated in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jalsa Salana, an annual religious gathering.

Tanzania officially became a unified republic on April 26th, 1964, with Dar’s chosen name enduring as a symbol of national unity. His passing marks the loss of a figure whose contribution to the country’s history remains significant.