The Journey of My Salah Mat: A Reflection

My Salah Mat has grown significantly in recent years, and we’d like to take a moment to share the inspiring journey behind its creation. Founded in the heart of Newport, Wales, My Salah Mat is the result of hard work, creativity, and a deep commitment to faith.

Our founder, Kamal Ali, is a proud British Bangladeshi, born in Bangladesh and raised in Newport. Kamal’s journey began with a passion for design, which led him to pursue studies in Art, Design & Media. He earned a first-class honours degree in Fashion Design from the University of South Wales and later completed a Master’s in Product Design at Bath Spa University. Alongside his academic pursuits, Kamal also became a certified teacher, driven by a love for education and innovation.

Kamal’s entrepreneurial career started with Simply Bahar, a catering business he successfully built and eventually sold. Following this, he launched LED LIGHT COMPANY LIMITED, importing high-end lighting for the hospitality industry. During this period, Kamal also developed Hajj Safe, a brand that began with the creation of an anti-theft travel belt for pilgrims and expanded to offer unique travel solutions for Muslim travellers worldwide.

However, it was in 2016 that the most impactful chapter of Kamal’s journey began. After seeing his son struggle to learn how to pray, Kamal sought out tools to help him and found there were no suitable products on the market. Combining his design expertise with his deep faith, Kamal set out to create a solution. The result was the world’s first Interactive Prayer Mat, a product designed to help children and beginners learn how to pray (Salah) using touch-sensitive technology, sound, and light to guide them through each step.

By 2018, My Salah Mat had captured global attention, going viral and receiving orders from around the world. Today, the mat is sold in over 40 countries and has been featured by prominent media outlets like the BBC and ITV. The Welsh Government has also recognised its impact. Kamal is proud to have received a patent and trademark approval for My Salah Mat in 48 countries, and the mat has reached over half a billion people worldwide, making a positive difference in how children and families learn Salah.

Though My Salah Mat has achieved global success, Kamal remains deeply rooted in his faith and the community that shaped him. Islam continues to inspire his creativity and his passion for helping others. His goal is simple: to make learning Salah easier, more engaging, and more accessible to everyone, especially children. Despite the international acclaim, Kamal’s heart remains in his hometown of Newport, Wales, where it all began.

Outside of his work, Kamal has a love for travel and new experiences. He enjoys hiking and immersing himself in different cultures, always seeking inspiration from the diversity of the world. Whether it’s the mountains of Wales or the streets of bustling cities abroad, Kamal is always in search of new perspectives.

At My Salah Mat, we are proud of the growth we’ve achieved, but more importantly, we are grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Our mission remains clear: to continue helping families around the world learn the beautiful practice of Salah in an interactive and engaging way.