Who is The Founder of My Salah Mat?

Kamal Ali is the founder as well as the product designer and educator behind My Salah Mat, the world’s first interactive prayer mat created to help children and reverts learn Salah with confidence. His journey began not in a studio or office, but in his living room, during a moment of sujood.

One day, while Kamal was praying, he noticed his young son trying to follow him. In the corner of his eye, he saw him struggling to place his hands, knees, and forehead correctly in sujood. After the prayer, Kamal gently showed him the positions, but the moment stayed with him. As both a father and a designer, he wondered:

“Why isn’t there a learning tool that helps children learn this?”

This single moment became the spark for My Salah Mat.

From a Father’s Idea to a Global Islamic Educational Tool

Drawing on his background in product design and teaching, Kamal sketched a child-friendly mat with clear markings for head, hands, and feet. When the first printed mock-up arrived, he had a new realisation: What if a child could press the mat and hear what to recite?

This led to a full interactive concept: touch-sensitive buttons, guided recitations, step-by-step audio, and designs that only activate when a child stands correctly.

What began as a tool for his own living room became a global learning resource. After launching in the UK in 2018, My Salah Mat expanded rapidly and is now used in over 40 countries, including Europe, America, Pakistan, Australia, Indonesia, and more. My Salah Mat always strives to support families, reverts, schools, and Islamic organisations worldwide.

Values That Drive the Mission

Kamal’s design philosophy is rooted in Islamic values: compassion, excellence, serving the ummah, and remembering that good actions carry reward beyond this life. He wanted Muslim children to have a product that matched mainstream toy standards that is beautifully designed, safe, durable, and educational.

He collaborated with a qualified Qari for recitations, consulted teachers to ensure accuracy, and continued refining the product even after launch. To Kamal, technology must remain a tool; a bridge that helps users build confidence before transitioning to a traditional prayer mat.

Challenges, Growth, and Global Impact

As the product spread internationally, counterfeit copies began appearing. Often unsafe, untested, and developed without care for Islamic guidance. Despite this, the original My Salah Mat continued to flourish.

Today, the brand has been recognised in multiple national award programmes such as the Welsh Minster, and has built a powerful online community, reaching over 800,000 YouTube subscribers. But for Kamal, the greatest milestone remains the same: every child who learns to pray because of his mat is a moment of barakah added to the world.

A Legacy of Sadaqah Jariyah

Kamal credits his children for inspiring the idea, his wife for her unwavering support, and his parents for encouraging him to pursue a creative path that was uncommon in Asian households. He also expresses deep gratitude to his team and the global community who continue to support My Salah Mat.

For Kamal, this work is—and will always be—Sadaqah Jariyah. A legacy designed to help generations learn Salah with ease, joy, and love.

If you’re beginning your own journey in Islamic learning or seeking tools to support your family, explore the interactive products that were built from this very intention.