Najaf Mazari

Author, Social Commentator

A shepherd boy from the mountains of Afghanistan, Najaf became a rugmaker of genius but was forced to flee his homeland under the onslaught of the Taliban. He painstakingly rebuilt his life in Australia and rescued his family from the despair of Pakistan’s refugee camps.

Where were you born?

I was born in the village of Sharshar, northern Afghanistan, near the mountains of the Hindu Kush.

What other jobs have you had?

I have followed only two occupations in my life. As a boy, I was a shepherd. At the age of twelve, I became an apprentice rugmaker in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, close to the border of Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. I became a master rugmaker after long training. In Australia, I still follow my profession of rugmaker, but I also sell rugs from the tribal areas of my homeland.

What themes are recurring in your work?

At a certain age as a young man, I chose peace over fighting. I had seen enough bloodshed to turn me away from war forever. In my writing, I try to show how peace calls for more imagination than war. Once you can imagine peace, war seems very primitive.

What have been the highlights of your career?

The thing I most enjoy is talking to audiences –particularly young audiences – about the struggle so many people in Afghanistan endure in order to survive, and the gratitude I feel when I walk down a street in Australia and think, “No bombs, no guns, no need to run.”

What are you passionate about?

Peace – and how much better it is for your health than war. I am also passionate about the new book I am writing with Robert Hillman, “The Honey Thief”. This is a book that tells the story of my people, the Hazara.

Haven’t I seen you before?

I have talked to audiences all over Australia with my co-writer Robert Hillman, and I have featured in a number of articles in newspapers and magazines.

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