Noor Atlas Rugs Production Company

Vendor Biography

Nooria Najafizada, an inspiring and hardworking entrepreneur, was born in 1994 (1372 SH) in Jaghori district, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. She completed her primary education in her hometown and pursued higher education in Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh province. In 2013, Noriya enrolled at Balkh University, studying Public Administration and Policy. Simultaneously, she completed a degree in Law and Political Science at a private university in Mazar-i-Sharif, thereby strengthening her academic and professional foundation in two significant fields.

Throughout her career, Nooria gained valuable managerial and social experience working in various governmental and non-governmental institutions. She served as Operations Manager for a food distribution project funded by WFP and implemented by Gulzad Group in northern and northeastern zones. She also worked as a financial specialist at the Zamir Foundation, a management and leadership instructor at Elite University, and held leadership positions at the LEDO office. Additionally, her collaboration with the United Nations Office in the management sector played a key role in enhancing her leadership, organizational, and professional management skills.

In 2023, motivated by the goal of empowering women economically, preserving Afghan handicrafts, and creating sustainable job opportunities, Nooria founded Noor Atlas Rugs Production Company. The company specializes in producing handwoven Afghan carpets, kilims, traditional rugs, and locally hand-spun wool products. Noor Atlas products are made using natural wool, local threads, and natural dyes, representing the authenticity and rich heritage of Afghan carpet weaving.

Today, Noor Atlas employs over 150 individuals, primarily women. Noriya has created a safe and supportive work environment that fosters employment, education, and professional growth for women and young girls. One of her main objectives is to train a new generation of female carpet weavers who can work independently and contribute to their families’ and communities’ economic development.

Under Nooria Najafizada’s leadership, Noor Atlas has successfully participated in several national and international exhibitions, including the CFE Exhibition in Turkey, Bi Bi Khadija Exhibition in Kabul, handicraft exhibitions in Turkmenistan, and local exhibitions in Mazar-i-Sharif. These participations have helped promote Afghan carpet artistry and expand the company’s trade network.

In addition to her production activities, Noriya has established a carpet weaving training center to empower young girls in this traditional craft, increase production capacity, and further strengthen the role of women in Afghanistan’s carpet industry.

Nooria Najafizada’s ultimate goal is to empower Afghan women economically, preserve and promote traditional arts, and develop the Noor Atlas brand nationally and internationally. She believes that with dedication and determination, Afghan women can become key pillars of the country’s economy, culture, and societal progress.

Noor Atlas Rugs, a women-led company in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh Province, has emerged as a resilient name in the Afghan carpet industry. Starting with only five weavers, Noor Atlas grew steadily and by 2019 employed 50 skilled artisans, crafting traditional Afghan hand-knotted rugs and kilims. However, the company faced significant setbacks due to COVID-19 and political instability, which forced downsizing and posed threats to operations. Despite these challenges, Noor Atlas Rugs has persevered, maintaining its commitment to high-quality, handcrafted Afghan rugs, a testament to Afghan heritage and artistry.