A World's first, from Wales

Kamal Ali - My Salah Mat

Kamal Ali, from Newport South Wales, has invested in the first interactive prayer mat for children of the Muslim faith. How wonderful that Kamal has used his teaching background and skill in product design, to create something life-changing and the best part he’s from Wales! Xcellence magazine just had to catch up with this phenomenal entrepreneur and learn all about his journey into becoming a patented inventor and all-around beautiful soul.

Where did the inspiration for My Salah Mat come from?

I was praying and my son was trying to get into the prostration position. I realised that he needed some help, so I started thinking of ways to help make his prayer life fun, easy and interactive. I searched online and was surprised, that there was nothing out there, but I knew what I was looking for, it had to be something that would give clear instructions but suitable for children, making payer fun. I have a design background so started to think of ideas. There were two phases in the development, initially I thought of a printed mat, detailing instructions, so had a sample made. When it arrived, I explored further and realised that the idea had scope to adapt interactive elements to it, so I started phase 2 of the process, and began using my knowledge to look for ways for the mat to become touch sensitive and make sounds.

How would parents teach their children to pray before My Salah Mat?

Normally, children would learn to pray through mimicking their parents or go to a teacher. As development evolved, I realised that children needed a learning tool. As a teacher, I know that children learn differently and toddlers learn through play, so knew that the mat had to be fun. Equally, the fun elements were important to me because I want children to enjoy prayer and Salah and have a positive interaction with prayer that would enhance their spiritual life and connect with the first pillar of Islam, setting a firm foundation for life.

As a product design teacher, my dream was to secure a patent... and I have done it!

What has been the response so far?

The response has been phenomenal, we have parents thanking us all the time, and asking for more products.

What was the process of creating My Salah Mat?

Before My Salah Mat, I created another business called, Hadja safe, which was a brand that provided travel products for people who were travelling for pilgrimage. As a result of Hadja, I built up sound knowledge in marketing and manufacturing and have made a lot of contacts. I was fortunate enough to use private capital as a startup investment for My Salah Mat, I was confident that it would work, so as a family we decided to go for it. For us, yes the money is important, but it is a lot more than that for us. We believe we have created a product that is helping future generations, connect with Allah, who we believe the rewards, when done with good intentions, come from. As a new start up in the export industry, we gained support from Business in Wales. Welsh Government are keen to increase export from Wales, so they were very helpful in providing advice and information on how to scale up and sustain an export company. We received 50% costs from the Welsh government to explore potential countries to export to. The funds covered costs, such as travel and exhibition expenses. We currently sell My Salah Mat in 40 different countries. The barriers, we have faced are big companies, requiring the product up front without paying. I feel that that model kills creativity and momentum.

What do you think is the main component to creating a brand?

I would say that you must be prepared to do everything in the beginning. As an entrepreneur it is not just about me, I am fortunate to have support from my family, I have been able to utilise various skills from family members. I have nieces and nephews working in the business, whilst studying, my children are featured in our marketing and other family members are involved. So, I would say that being prepared to do everything in the beginning and then delegating with people you trust. However, our network is bigger than that, we would not be successful without every component running like clockwork, from the post office staff to the delivery companies we use, we don’t see them as part of the infrastructure, but a part of our brand. Equally it is important to have good networks, but ultimately kindness and honesty are the biggest and most important characteristics to have, because people buy into you before the product.

Kamal and his invention

There are some great business ideas coming out of Wales, how does it feel being an inventor? Islam has been around for 14,000 years and nobody has created anything similar. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population; Saudia Arabia is the heart of the holiest sights in Islam, yet the first ever interactive prayer mat was created in Newport. I find it so hard to believe that nobody has ever thought of it before. But, I guess, it is good to be the first. We were granted a patent, which coming from a product design background, was one of the personal goals I had, and I am so pleased that I can look back on my life and know that I achieved my goal. What is so important is that people are not just purchasing an original product, but they are investing in the company to enable us to develop other interactive products, mainly faith products, but not exclusive, as we are always creating and mindful that we are living in a multicultural and multi faith world, so we are looking at other ideas.

My Salah Mat, was a product finalist in the 2022 Global Business Awards

What do you think is the hallmarks of a true entrepreneur?

My saying is the best entrepreneurs are those who build bridges, money is important, but being an entrepreneur is about creating products and services, that enhance the life and wellbeing of people, so that they can live full and impactful lives. We have some re-sellers who can make an income also, so our product builds bridges in so many ways.