Sirajuddin Aziz unveils ‘In God’s Words’

2026-02-13 - 23:46

A banker’s reflection on faith Zubair Yaqoob In an evening that blended scholarship, reflection and civic dialogue, Sirajuddin Aziz launched his latest book, In God’s Words, at a ceremony held at local hotel on Friday, drawing scholars, professionals and members of the public interested in faith and contemporary religious thought. The book offers a carefully researched, question-and-answer–based exploration of the Holy Qur’an, encouraging readers to approach the divine text not with haste, but with inquiry, context and reflection. Rather than presenting conclusions in isolation, In God’s Words is structured around disciplined questioning — a method the author believes is essential to meaningful understanding. Speakers at the launch observed that the book arrives at a moment when religious discourse is often shaped by fragmented readings and instant commentary. In such an environment, they noted, thoughtful engagement with sacred texts has become both more challenging and more necessary. The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Tariq Bin Azad. Panelists included Dr. Syed M. Mehboobul Hasan Bukhari, Prof. Sadia Ansari, Dr. Muhammad Atif Aslam Rao, Irfan Siddiqui, Sirajuddin Aziz and Mirajuddin Aziz. The discussion examined the book’s central themes, focusing on its question-and-answer framework and its emphasis on understanding Qur’anic verses within their broader textual and historical context. Participants highlighted how the format invites readers to reflect before drawing conclusions. By encouraging readers to identify the right questions, the panel suggested, the book attempts to shift the focus from quick interpretation to sustained contemplation. Irfan Siddiqui, former chief executive of Meezan Bank Limited, congratulated the author and described the publication as a timely contribution. In his remarks, he underscored the importance of patience and humility when approaching religious texts, particularly in an age defined by information overload and rapid opinion-making. “Reflection,” he suggested, “is becoming rare precisely when it is needed most.” Sirajuddin Aziz explained that the book was inspired by a simple but profound realization: while the Qur’an offers enduring guidance, genuine understanding depends on asking thoughtful and carefully framed questions. The project, he said, grew out of an intentional effort to identify those questions and allow the Qur’an to illuminate them in its own words and context. He emphasized that the aim was not to impose interpretation, but to facilitate engagement — to create a pathway through which readers might rediscover the discipline of inquiry in matters of faith. The audience interaction that followed reflected a strong interest in this approach. Attendees described the work as a constructive addition to contemporary religious writing, particularly for readers seeking clarity without oversimplification. Sirajuddin Aziz, a veteran banker and prolific writer, currently serves as Pakistan’s Banking Ombudsman. Over the course of a career spanning senior roles in multinational financial institutions, he has also written and spoken extensively on leadership, economics and corporate governance. His work is often marked by clarity of argument and an insistence on contextual understanding. With In God’s Words, Aziz extends that intellectual discipline to the realm of faith, proposing that the path to deeper belief may begin not with answers alone, but with the courage to ask better questions.