Mazhar Krasniqi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mazhar Krasniqi
QSM
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mazhar Shukri Krasniqi
17 October 1931 Pristina, Kosovo, Kingdom of Yugoslavia |
| Died | 8 August 2019 (aged 87) Australia |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | businessman, human rights activist, community leader |
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Mazhar Shukri Krasniqi QSM (1931–2019) was an important leader in New Zealand. He was a businessman and worked to protect human rights. He was also a leader for the Muslim community and for people of Albanian descent in New Zealand. He was the first president of two important groups: the New Zealand Albanian Civic League and the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ).
Contents
Early Life and Journey to New Zealand
Mazhar Shukri Krasniqi was born in 1931 in Pristina, Kosovo. His family was well-known in Kosovo. He did not agree with communism, a type of government. Because of this, he faced challenges from authorities.
In 1950, he was working on a ship from Yugoslavia. He left the ship in Izmir, Turkey. There, he was registered as a refugee with the United Nations. In May 1951, Krasniqi arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, on a ship called the SS Goya. He did many different jobs, including farm work.
Life in New Zealand and Australia
Later, Krasniqi moved to Auckland. Between 1959 and 1960, he traveled to Australia. He visited Melbourne and Sydney. In Australia, he worked as a foreman. He also met with Albanian communities there. He gave speeches about issues important to Albanians.
Back in Auckland, Krasniqi opened a restaurant and cafe in 1960. It was called "Free Albania" and was in Panmure. This place became a center for Albanian culture in New Zealand. Krasniqi was one of the Albanians who started a group called the Albanian Civic League. He became its long-time leader. This group helped Albanians in New Zealand stay connected with other Albanian groups around the world. It also brought attention to Albanian issues, like those in Kosovo.
Community and Religious Leadership
Krasniqi raised his children as Muslims. He regularly attended the mosque. He believed that reason and religious teachings should work together. He also thought that human rights and democracy could improve the Muslim world. He was against the communist government in Albania and against religious extremism.
In 1970, Krasniqi closed "Free Albania." He then opened a kiosk at a pool and leisure center. He made smart investments and became wealthy. This allowed him to travel to many countries. He visited Australia, Germany, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the US, and Turkey. He spoke publicly about Albanian interests, democracy, and human rights. In 1970, he met Mother Teresa during her visit to New Zealand. In 1974, Krasniqi started a company that exported farm products to the Middle East.
Uniting Muslim Communities
During the 1970s and 1980s, Krasniqi helped organize protests against the Soviet Union. He also worked hard to bring Muslim groups in New Zealand together. He was one of the founders of New Zealand's first mosque in Ponsonby, Auckland.
Muslims in New Zealand respected Krasniqi for his social, speaking, and religious skills. Because of this, he was given leadership roles. In 1979, the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) was formed. Krasniqi became its first leader. As president, he created FIANZ's halal department. Halal means food prepared according to Islamic law. He helped promote halal slaughter in New Zealand's meat processing factories. FIANZ became a trusted certifier for halal products. This helped New Zealand become a major exporter of halal meat to countries in the Gulf region. Krasniqi also served as president of the New Zealand Muslim Association in 1975 and 1987.
Advocacy for Refugees and Recognition
Krasniqi cared deeply about refugees. He spoke up for Albanian migrants from the Balkans. He met with Ibrahim Rugova, a Kosovo Albanian political leader, three times in the 1990s. He also became close with Joseph DioGuardi, an Albanian American US senator. In 1994, DioGuardi arranged a meeting between Krasniqi and US president Bill Clinton. They talked about issues affecting Kosovo Albanians.
During the Kosovo crisis in 1999, Krasniqi asked the New Zealand government to accept Albanian refugees. As part of the Albanian Civic League, Krasniqi welcomed the refugees at the airport. He led local efforts to help them settle. This work was widely covered by New Zealand media.
In 2003, Krasniqi's hard work was recognized. He was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for his service to the Albanian and wider Muslim communities. Krasniqi saw New Zealand as a welcoming place. He believed it was a great example of freedom and democracy. In his later years, Krasniqi lived in Australia. He passed away there on August 8, 2019. An article in The New Zealand Herald called him a "strong leader" and a "great Albanian New Zealander."
Family Life
Krasniqi was married and had three children. His oldest daughter, Besa, is a Sufi Muslim scholar. She lives in Jordan and is married to Nuh Ha Mim Keller, an American Muslim scholar. He also had a son living in northern Australia and another child.
External sources
- Kajtazi, Sani (13 September 2019). "Mazhar Krasniqi: This is my life". SBS. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/masar-krasniqi-this-is-my-life. - audio documentary about Mazhar Krasniqi's life
