Remembering M. Azizul Huq, a pioneer in Islamic Banking in Bangladesh

Published 19 Nov,2020 via The Financial Express - M. Azizul Huq, who may be aptly described as the doyen of Islamic banking in Bangladesh, passed away on November 12, 2020 at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka. The Central Shariah Board of Islamic Banks of Bangladesh (CSBIB) announced the prestigious annual Islamic Banking Award for the first time in 2005 and he was the first person to be honored with it for his outstanding contribution to Islamic Banking. This may be cited as one example from many of his extraordinary presence in the Islamic banking sector of the country.

This eminent Islamic banker was born in October 1935 in Dhola Village of Tarail Upazila in Kishoreganj district. He passed his Matriculation Examination from Ashujia Joy Noth Chakraborty Institution, Kendua, Netrokona, in 1952, Intermediate from Gurudayal College, Kishoreganj in 1954, BA (Honours) in 1956, and Masters in Economics from Dhaka University in 1958.

His professional life began by joining the Habib Bank as a Probationary Officer. Later, he joined the National Bank of Pakistan. After the independence of Bangladesh, he naturally became a part of Sonali Bank that was established by taking over the branches of National Bank of Pakistan, Bank of Bawalpur and Premier Bank. He was the Principal of Sonali Bank Staff College for 6 years until 1983.