It’s safe to say that most businesses start from humble beginnings, but the story behind Najaf Rugs is very special.
Najaf Mazari fled Mazar-E-Sharif in Afghanistan and arrived in Australia as a refugee and spent 4 months at the Woomera detention centre.
Before leaving his ancestral homeland, Najaf worked as a shepherd to support his family and also learnt the art of rug making from the age of 12.
Learning a trade was important to Najaf’s oldest brother who took on parental responsibility of the household after their father suddenly passed away.
Despite the language barriers he faced and with no money to his name, Najaf brought with him the art of rug making which he learnt as a child growing up.
With his unique set of skills, he opened a shop at 461 High Street, Prahran in Melbourne and established himself as a crafty rug repairer.
In 2001, after 6-months of hard work and still not knowing how to properly use an Eftpos machine, Najaf officially opened Najaf Rugs & Textiles. An authentic and honest Afghan Rug Store in the heart of Melbourne that still to this day offers Afghan tea to every customer.
Published Author, Archibald Portrait, Philanthropist…
Najaf’s life become even more interesting when he had the amazing opportunity to publish books with co-writer Robert Hillman; The Rug Maker of Mazar-e-Sharif and The Honey Thief. Both books have been best sellers and continue to do well to this day.
AusGhan Aid was established by Najaf Mazari with the aim to give back to the Afghan community in Mazar-e-Sharif and receives 100% of the royalties from the book The Rug Maker of Mazar-e-Sharif. AusGhan Aid has provided health and educational services for the last 8 years to the most vulnerable in the community.
In 2014 Najaf was nominated for Australian of the Year Awards 2014 and has also had a portrait entered into the Archibald by artist Phillip Howe.
The business today
From the very beginning, Najaf Rugs & Textiles has been committed to sourcing and selling quality handwoven rugs at fair prices for everyone to love and enjoy.
What differentiates them from others is their emphasis on quality and durability over temporary trends.
Their passion is not only handwoven into their rugs but is maintained through the careful selection of each and every item by Najaf himself. The business also prides itself on supporting incredibly talented artisans from war-torn regions of Afghanistan who weave incredibly complex designs from the safety of their home.
Now supported by his daughter Maria who’s taken on the day-to-day management of the business, Najaf is committed more than ever to helping his customers find the best rug for them.
Whether it be to help decorate the home or purely out of appreciation for craftsmanship and design, Najaf and Maria are working hard to keep this age-old craft alive and help customers acquire a true work of art that they’ll admire and enjoy for many years to come.
Customers can now purchase one of these handcrafted masterpieces with absolute confidence knowing they’re dealing with a credible vendor. And it’s never been easier, Najaf offer free shipping Australia-wide.
HomeMakerCentral are delighted to have such a high-quality reputable retailer on the eShopping platform and know that customers will just love what they have to offer.
