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Some ideas don’t come with a long strategy or business plan. They simply appear in a moment of real life, and slowly grow into something meaningful. The story of My Salah Mat begins in a moment just like that.
Picture this: a father sitting in front of the TV, laptop open, handling tasks for his first company, Hajj Safe. His son, four-year-old Hamzah, is nearby trying to pray. He keeps attempting sujood but can’t quite figure it out. Hands, knees, forehead, nose, where do they all go?
Cute. But also something that makes a father stop and think.
For Kamal Ali, this was a moment that sparked a question: Is there something I can give him to help? Something simple. Something educational. Something fun enough that a child would actually want to use.
With a background in product design, he opened Adobe Illustrator and began sketching. He found images of a plain prayer mat, hands, feet, and the Kaaba, and started placing them together. At first, it was just a visual guide. A soft mat with helpful markings. Nothing electronic. Nothing high-tech.
But then he added the words used in prayer. Short duas. Phrases like “Allahu Akbar.” The kind of reminders every child learning Salah needs. Within a few hours, a rough design began to form, the seed of an idea that would one day reach millions.
He reached out to a friend in Indonesia. Together, they refined the concept. Then came a sample from China. And that sample opened the door to something Kamal hadn’t expected: An interactive, touch-sensitive prayer mat.
If a child pressed a button, it could speak. If they touched an icon, it could guide them through wudu. It could walk them through every step of Salah, from takbir to salam. What began as a drawing on a laptop became a living, teaching companion for children. This is how My Salah Mat came into being.
Behind My Salah Mat is Kamal Ali, a British Bangladeshi entrepreneur from Newport, Wales. His journey is shaped by creativity, teaching, and faith. Three threads you can see clearly in everything he builds.
Before My Salah Mat, he ran several businesses. Simply Bahar, his catering venture. LED Light Company, where he imported lighting for the hospitality sector. And Hajj Safe, a brand created to help pilgrims travel securely with anti-theft belts and products.
But My Salah Mat is the project closest to his heart.
He explains his work simply:
“…I view my profession as a form of worship; I am driven to achieve excellence and deliver exceptional results. Striving for success is a professional pursuit and a means to fulfil my spiritual obligations and gain blessings in this life. It’s my ticket to Paradise. Insha’Allah.”
_ Kamal Ali, CEO of My Salah Mat LTD
His gratitude for life is constant. His efforts, even after massive success, remain grounded and sincere. And it is this sincerity that shapes the brand.
But big ideas come with big obstacles. And Kamal was about to face them.
The first was development. A year of prototypes, flights to China, meetings with designers, photographers, engineers, translators, factories, and lawyers. More than 20 samples. Countless revisions.
Then came the bigger challenge: money. Production required a large investment. And Kamal was a father, a husband, with responsibilities.
In his words, he sat with spreadsheets and calculations “running like a calculator” in his head, trying to solve the problem. Could he raise funds? Should he try Kickstarter? Should he bring in investors?
And then he paused. He asked himself a simple question: Why am I doing this? Not for profit. Not for a trend. Not for commercial gain. But to help a child (first his own, and then others) learn how to pray.
When he realised that, everything became clearer. He performed Istikharah. Took a deep breath. Said Bismillah. And sent the payment. The rest was trust. While waiting for production, he built a basic website himself. He filmed a simple promotional video with the help of an ex-student from Egypt. He launched pre-orders through LaunchGood.
And something amazing happened. Before the product had even reached the UK, more than half the stock had sold out. Once it arrived, it sold out completely within three months.
Parents were sending messages of gratitude. Teachers were recommending it. Families around the world were sharing videos of their children learning Salah with excitement. At that moment, which started with Hamzah lying on his tummy, became the foundation of a global movement.
My Salah Mat grew. It grew into a brand that would go on to be stocked in over 40 countries, featured by the BBC and ITV, recognised by the Welsh Government, granted patents in 48 countries, and loved by children around the world.
When customers recognise quality, trust, and consistency, it shows. And for My Salah Mat, it shows in numbers, and in hearts. With over 375 verified reviews, parents continue to share real experiences of how the product helps their children learn and connect with prayer.
In just one month, the brand received 20 new reviews that showed steady growth and increasing trust. They’ve also earned a place in the top 10% of stores, recognised for quality, satisfaction, and reliability. But beyond all the numbers, what truly sets them apart is the product itself.
The heart of the brand is the interactive prayer mat, a product that teaches, guides, and supports you through every step of Salah. It isn’t just an educational tool. It feels like a companion.
You press the icons, listen to the instructions, repeat the phrases, and follow the sequence of prayer. And with time, something beautiful happens: learning becomes natural, and confidence grows.
Get it Here: Interactive Kids Prayer Mat
For many parents, it solves a real challenge: “How do I teach my child Salah in a way that’s enjoyable and natural?” The kids’ version turns prayer into an experience. They tap the buttons, explore the du’as, and learn independently - without feeling pressured or overwhelmed.
Many say their child’s first instinct when seeing the mat is to go into sujood, a beautiful outcome Kamal himself never expected but is deeply grateful for.
One parent explained:
“Kids want to do what the big kids do. My daughter copies me in salah, but she wants independence too. The interactive icons help her follow along without needing me to stand right over her. It’s given her confidence and joy in her prayer.”
Get it Here: Interactive Prayer Mat for Adults
The adults’ mat has its own purpose. Some people (reverts) are learning for the first time. Others are returning to prayer. Some just want guidance they can follow at their own pace. The mat gives them a quiet, supportive way to do that - without judgement, without pressure.
This is what Alex, a revert & an influencer, has to say about Adult Interactive Prayer mat:
“When I converted to Islam, there weren’t apps or interactive tools to learn Salah. I had papers everywhere. It was difficult to memorise Surahs and pray Salah properly. It gets hard sometimes and you feel like quitting. And I really wish I had this adults’ interactive Salah mat…It is well-designed, soft and easy to use. It guides you through every step of your prayer. It’s really priceless!”
Read Also: How to Use an Interactive Prayer Mat (Kid & Adult Version)
At Riwaya, we’re proud to feature My SalahMat, a brand that helps Muslims feel more connected to every step of Salah. Browse their full collection, from Interactive Prayer mats, padded Salah mats, to interactive wall arts and understand the Islamic values in fun way!
Shop My SalahMat collection here!
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