New Year Honours: Daud Azimullah helped make Muslims part and parcel of NZ

Daud Azimullah, centre, appeared at Parliament for the first reading of the Koran.

It was a historic event: the first-ever reading of the Muslim holy book, the Koran, at Parliament.

The recitation, in Arabic and English, was part of an event marking Eid al Fitr, the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and the 25th anniversary of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.

As organiser Daud Azimullah read the vote of thanks at the November 16 event, he wasn't to know that the Government had its own thank-you in store for him: a New Year's Honour. Mr Azimullah, 63, has been made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the Muslim community.

The retired administrator sees it as further confirmation that Muslims are "part and parcel of New Zealand".

"It means a lot," he said. "And I am humbled, absolutely."

Sultan Eusoff, executive manager of FIANZ, described Mr Azimullah, who is FIANZ treasurer and a former vice-president, as a "highly responsible, dedicated and meticulous" organiser who worked for a forward-looking Muslim community. He is a mobiliser, says Mr Eusoff, and he was quick to encourage people to act after the the 2004 tsunami and October's earthquake in Pakistan.

Suggest Mr Azimullah is a born organiser and he laughs. The old saying about giving things you want done to a busy person is perhaps true; he says his plate is always very full.

Mr Azimullah was born in Suva, Fiji, and worked as an administrator for its government, the World Health Organisation and the United Nation Development Programme before immigrating to New Zealand in 1989 with his wife, Kamrul, and their sons Faris and Javed.

He worked in administration for the University of Auckland and the Manukau Institute of Technology before retiring.

Mr Azimullah helped found the Blockhouse Muslim Centre and mosque, and he led the fund-raising that transformed it into the Avondale Islamic Centre in 2000. He is its president.

Every year, he helps to arrange the mass post-Ramadan prayers, which last year attracted 4000 people to the Auckland Showgrounds: "That has always been a challenge."

The event that Mr Azimullah organised at Parliament's Grand Hall attracted about 180 politicians, media, business figures and members of the public. Bellamy's, the Parliament dining room, prepared halal food.