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{{Short description|New Zealand politician}}

Dr '''Ashraf Choudhary''' (born [[15 February]] [[1949]]) is a member of [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]] in [[New Zealand]]. He is a member of the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]], and is New Zealand's first [[Muslim]] MP.

{{Use New Zealand English|date=October 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{Infobox officeholder

|honorific-prefix =

|name = Ashraf Choudhary

|honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|QSO|size=100%}}

|image = Ashraf Choudhary.jpg

|caption =

|constituency_MP = [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] [[party list]]

|parliament = New Zealand

|term_start = [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002]]

|term_end = [[2011 New Zealand general election|2011]]

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1949|02|15}}

|birth_place = [[Sialkot]], [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]], [[Pakistan]]

|death_date =

|death_place =

|restingplace =

|restingplacecoordinates =

|birthname =

|nationality = New Zealand

|party = [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]]

|otherparty = <!--For additional political affiliations-->

|spouse =

|partner = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married-->

|relations =

|children =

|residence = Auckland

|alma_mater = [[University of Agriculture, Faisalabad]] (UAF) Pakistan<br> [[Massey University]], New Zealand

|occupation =

|profession =

|cabinet =

|committees = Primary Production Committee

|portfolio =

|religion =

|signature =

|website =

|footnotes =

|blank1 = Fields

|data1 = [[Agricultural Engineering]]

|blank2 = Institutions

|data2 = [[Massey University]]

|blank3 =

|data3 =

|blank4 =

|data4 =

|blank5 =

|data5 =

}}

'''Ashraf Choudhary''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|QSO|size=85%}} (born 15 February 1949; [[Sialkot]], [[Punjab]]) is a [[Pakistani New Zealander|Pakistani-New Zealand]] scientist in [[agricultural engineering]] and formerly a member of the [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]] in New Zealand. He is a member of the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]], and was New Zealand's first MP from [[South Asia]] and [[Pakistan]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Choudhary, Ashraf - New Zealand Parliament|url=https://www.parliament.nz/mi/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/choudhary-ashraf/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=www.parliament.nz|language=en}}</ref>

==Early life==

Choudhary was born in the [[Pakistan|Pakistani]] half of the [[Punjab region|Punjab]] region. His family, who were farmers, was relatively poor. Although his parents were illiterate, He attended high school in the town of [[Sialkot]], and then gained a degree in Agricultural Engineering in [[Faisalabad]]. He continued his studied abroad, gaining a Master's degree at the [[University of Newcastle upon Tyne]] in the [[United Kingdom]] and a PhD at [[Massey University]] in [[New Zealand]]. He has published a large number of scientific papers in his field, and is considered to be an international authority on [[conservation tillage]]. His work has a particular focus on agricultural techniques in developing countries. He worked at Massey University from [[1976]] to [[2002]].

Choudhary was born in the [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Pakistani half]] of the [[Punjab region]] in village Jajay at the home of Chaudhry Muhammad Boota. He comes from a family of agriculture. He attended high school in the town of [[Sialkot]],<ref name="pildat">{{cite web|url=http://www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=65|title=Patience and Persistence required for a stable democracy in Pakistan|date=25 December 2004|publisher=PILDAT|accessdate=7 June 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615031605/http://www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=65|archivedate=15 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and then gained a degree in [[agricultural engineering]] from [[University of Agriculture, Faisalabad]] (UAF) in [[Faisalabad]]. He continued his studies abroad, gaining a master's degree in [[agricultural engineering]] at the [[Newcastle University|University of Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[England]] and a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in [[agricultural engineering]] at [[Massey University]], New Zealand.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Choudhary |first=Mohammed Ashraf |title=Interrelationships between performance of direct drilled seeds, soil micro-environment and drilling equipment |date=1979 |degree=PhD |publisher=Massey Research Online, Massey University |hdl=10179/3612 |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10179/3612}}</ref>

== Scientific and community work ==

Before entering Parliament, Choudhary had worked with a number of community organizations, including such groups as the New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils and the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand. He was awarded a [[British and Commonwealth orders and decorations|QSO]] for his community work in 2001.

Choudhary was originally an [[environmental scientist]] and taught at [[Massey University]].<ref name="pildat" /> He has published a large number of scientific papers in his field, and is considered to be an international authority on [[conservation tillage]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} His work has a particular focus on agricultural techniques in developing countries. Choudhary has three children.

Before entering [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]], Choudhary had worked with a number of community organisations, including such groups as the New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils and [[FIANZ]] – the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (of which he was president in 1984–85).{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} In his capacity as president of [[FIANZ]] he oversaw the first annual [[halal]] meat contract with the [[New Zealand Meat Producers Board]] in June 1984, with the aid of [[Mazhar Krasniqi]], Hajji Abdul Rahim Rasheed and Dr. Mohammad Hanif Quazi.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Having been a supporter of the Labour Party for some time, Choudhary was elected to Parliament as a Labour Party list MP in the [[New Zealand general election 2002|2002 elections]]. He was sworn in on the [[Qur'an]], something which [[Winston Peters]] (leader of the [[New Zealand First]] party) criticised as a breach of proper procedure. The rules, however, contained no prohibition against it, allowing the taker of the oath to specify any religious text they wished (or, alternatively, use none at all). Because Parliamentary officials did not have a copy of the Qu'ran, Choudhary brought his own, which he then donated to Parliament for use in the future.

==Parliamentary politics==

Since entering Parliament, Choudhary has served on the Primary Production, Local Government and Environment, and Education and Science select committees. He also came to public attention in [[2003]], when he abstained in a vote to legalize [[prostitution]] (the only MP to do so). If he had voted against the change, it would have failed, and some people (including some prominent members of the Muslim community) blame him for the bill's success.

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Having been a supporter of the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] for some time, Choudhary was elected to Parliament as a Labour Party list MP in the [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002 election]]. He was sworn in on the [[Qur'an]], which [[Winston Peters]] (leader of the [[New Zealand First]] party) criticised as breaking "centuries-old tradition."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=New Zealand's first Muslim legislator in row over Quran {{!}} WWRN - World-wide Religious News|url=https://wwrn.org/articles/7895/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=wwrn.org}}</ref> Choudhary, however, responded that the tradition was broken when Premier [[Julius Vogel]] was sworn in on the [[Torah]].<ref name=":2" /> Because Parliamentary officials did not have a copy of the [[Qur'an]], they obtained a copy from the [[FIANZ]] office, which was then donated to the Parliamentary Library for use in the future.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

During his time in [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]], Choudhary served on the Primary Production, Local Government and Environment, and Education and Science select committees.<ref name=":1" /> He also came to public attention in 2003, when he abstained in a vote to legalise [[prostitution]]. The Muslim community were upset by his decision to abstain from voting since prostitution is seen as a violation of their faith.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/content/206420/423466/article.html|title=Muslims upset with MP|date=17 July 2003|work=[[Television New Zealand]]|accessdate=7 June 2011}}</ref>

In December [[2004]] Choudhary once again came to the attention of the Muslim community, when he announced his intention to vote in favour of the controversial [[Civil unions in New Zealand|Civil Union]] legislation. Choudhary responded, "if the law allows one minority group in our society to be discriminated against then all minorities are vulnerable".

In 2011, Choudhary was mentioned in [[Anders Behring Breivik|Anders Behring Breivik's]] manifesto ''2083: A European Declaration of Independence'' where Choudhary was used an example of Muslim's failing to assimilate by not condoning the stoning of homosexuals and those who have extramarital affairs.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2011-07-30|title=Mass killer sees NZ as haven in Islam conflict|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5365851/Mass-killer-sees-NZ-as-haven-in-Islam-conflict|access-date=2021-09-21|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref> Choudhary had in 2004 stated that stoning was in line with Qur'an teachings, but had no place in New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ashraf Choudhary on the stoning of gays » archived article sourced from GayNZ.com|url=https://www.pridenz.com/gaynz/842.html|access-date=2021-09-26|website=www.pridenz.com}}</ref> He responded to the inclusion in the manifesto by saying "He is a terrorist and we should condemn what he has done and that is all I really want to say."<ref name=":0" />

Choudhary and his wife Samina (born in [[Lahore]], Pakistan) have three children. He regularly visits his relatives in Pakistan.

==Post-parliament career==

In July [[2005]] Choudhary was in hot spot again when he was perceived as refusing to condemn the practice of stonning. In TV3's 60 Minutes show in July 04, 05, Dr Choudhary was asked: "Are you saying the Koran is wrong to recommend that gays in certain circumstances be stoned to death?" He replied: " No, no. Certainly what the Koran says is correct." He then partially qualified the statement. "In those societies, not here in New Zealand," he added. Despite the phrasing of the question put to him, however, the Koran does not actually demand stoning, and so his endorsement of the Koran does not equate to an endorsement of stoning.

On 29 September 2011, Choudhary delivered his valedictory speech in Parliament and would retire from politics after the [[2011 New Zealand general election|2011 general election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-09-29 |title=Valedictory Speeches Sept 29 |url=http://parliamenttoday.co.nz/2011/09/valedictory-speeches-sept-29/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=parliamenttoday.co.nz |language=en-US}}</ref> Since retiring Choudhary has been active in the Pakistani and Indian community circles of Auckland encouraging youth political involvement and supporting blood donor drives.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-02-13|title=Indian Newslink - Former MP calls more youngsters to politics|url=http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/index.php/archives2012/may_15_2012_issue/former-mp-calls-more-youngsters-to-politics.html|access-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213172129/http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/index.php/archives2012/may_15_2012_issue/former-mp-calls-more-youngsters-to-politics.html|archive-date=13 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-02-22|title=Indian Newslink - Pakistani blood donors do us proud|url=http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/index.php/archives2012/feb_1_2012_issue/pakistani-blood-donors-do-us-proud.html|access-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222203844/http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/index.php/archives2012/feb_1_2012_issue/pakistani-blood-donors-do-us-proud.html|archive-date=22 February 2013}}</ref>

At the [[2016 Auckland local elections|2016 election]] and [[2019 Auckland local elections|2019 election]] local body elections Choudhary was elected to the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board and [[Counties Manukau District Health Board]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-10-11|title=Majorities for Labour and Action Team on southern local boards|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/85169943/majorities-for-labour-and-action-team-on-southern-local-boards|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-12|title=Voice of ethnic communities gets stronger and louder|url=https://indiannewslink.co.nz/voice-of-ethnic-communities-gets-stronger-and-louder-2/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=indiannewslink.co.nz|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-10-11|title=Three new members elected to Counties Manukau DHB|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/85143467/three-new-members-elected-to-counties-manukau-dhb|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>

== Honours ==

In the [[2001 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|2001 New Year Honours]], Choudhary was appointed a [[Companion of the Queen's Service Order]] for community service.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 December 2000|title=New Year honours list 2001|url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/new-year-honours-list-2001|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|accessdate=17 August 2019}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[Islam in New Zealand]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

*{{citation |first1 = Mohammed Ashraf |last1 = Choudhary |first2 = C. J. |last2 = Baker |title = Developments in direct drilling techniques |place = Auckland, [N.Z.] |publisher = New Zealand Energy Research and Development Committee |year = 1985}}

==External links==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040121053847/http://www.theasianoutlook.com/articles/March/40.htm Interview with Ashraf Choudhary]

* [httphttps://wwwweb.archive.org/web/20040103082525/http://pakistandost.com/choudhry.htm PakistanDost biography]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090324101106/http://theyworkforyou.co.nz/mps/ashraf_choudhary Ashraf Choudhary] at TheyWorkForYou

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[[Category{{DEFAULTSORT:1949 births|Choudhary, Ashraf]]}}

[[Category:New1949 Zealand politicians|Choudhary, Ashrafbirths]]

[[Category:NewAlumni Zealandof LabourNewcastle Party MPs|Choudhary, AshrafUniversity]]

[[Category:Agricultural engineers]]

[[Category:Companions of the Queen's Service Order]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:Massey University alumni]]

[[Category:Academic staff of Massey University]]

[[Category:University of Agriculture, Faisalabad alumni]]

[[Category:New Zealand Labour Party MPs]]

[[Category:New Zealand Muslims]]

[[Category:Pakistani emigrants to New Zealand]]

[[Category:Pakistani scientists]]

[[Category:Pakistani engineers]]

[[Category:People from Sialkot]]

[[Category:Environmental scientists]]

[[Category:Environmental engineers]]

[[Category:New Zealand list MPs]]

[[Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1999 New Zealand general election]]

[[Category:Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives]]

[[Category:New Zealand people of Punjabi descent]]

[[Category:21st-century New Zealand politicians]]

[[Category:Counties Manukau District Health Board members]]